Silence as Apolitical? Colonial Atrocities and Postcolonial Memory Work

Ana Dragojlovic delves into the profound impact of silence, inspired by Adrienne Rich's poetic wisdom. She explores how silence resonates as a complex presence, particularly in the context of colonial history and shared cultural heritage, using an eye-opening visit to an exhibition in Amsterdam as a starting point. Why do some choose silence when faced with the brutality of the past?

Ana Dragojlovic • oktober 09, 2023

Interpreting Silence in Life-History Interviews

In this blog post, Asha L. Abeyasekera delves into the power of silence in women's narratives, using Manel's life-history interview as an example. She explores how silence conveys emotions and challenges societal norms in complex narratives.

Asha L. Abeyasekera • oktober 09, 2023

Absent Loves: Unlearning Heteronormativity in Indonesia

Benjamin Hegarty delves into the complexities of gender and sexuality in Indonesia, particularly among waria (transgender women), and explores the silence surrounding non-heteronormative relationships. He reflects on the initial focus on heteronormative narratives and highlights the invisibility of other forms of intimacy and care, specifically between waria and young men known as brondong.

Benjamin Hegarty • oktober 09, 2023

The Works of Silence

In the aftermath of Sri Lanka's civil war, Udeni M.H. Appuhamilage explores the impact of silence on individuals, particularly women who endure suffering even after the war's official end. She delves into the nuanced role of silence, which goes beyond resistance or communication, revealing how it becomes an integral part of narratives, shaping and reflecting emotional and affective content.

Udeni Appuhamilage • oktober 09, 2023

Words for Winners: On Cultural Change and the Value of Volume

In this blog post, Amir Hampel explores the significance of silence and speech in the context of modern China, where public speaking skills are increasingly valued. He discusses how individuals in China, especially young professionals, are striving to overcome cultural and historical silences ingrained in their personalities.

Amir Hampel • oktober 09, 2023

Anthropology at the Ragged Edge of Silence

In this blogpost, Fiona Murphy discusses how understanding silence can deepen empathy and meaning in ethnographic research. She reflects on her Catholic upbringing in Ireland, its impact on family and society, and its role in Irish history, including Church abuse. Her anthropological work explores silence among Indigenous Australians and asylum seekers, emphasizing its complexity and significance.

Fiona Murphy • oktober 09, 2023

Gendered Violence and Silence in the “Country of the Unspoken”: Reflections on Ethnographic Writing in New Caledonia

In this blogpost Nathanaëlle Soler explores the concept of silence in New Caledonia, highlighting its role in concealing the violence of settlers and penal colonialism and its impact on the indigenous Kanak communities. It discusses the unequal distribution of speech based on gender and age, particularly the challenges faced by Kanak women in denouncing gender-based violence.

Nathanaëlle Soler • oktober 06, 2023

The Art of Making and Breaking Silence: Thoughts from Theatre Audio Describers

In this blog post, Harshadha Balasubramanian shares her experiences as a blind anthropologist and the challenges she faces in her fieldwork due to their lack of vision. She discusses the importance of "thick description" and how their inability to see certain visual elements became the silences they needed to crack.

Harshadha Balasubramanian • september 08, 2023

Meditation Retreat in India: A Phenomenological Study of Silence

Elina Mourtazina uses anthropological research and personal experiences in a Buddhist retreat center in India to examine the concept of silence. She explores the multiple meanings and experiences of silence, from the soundscape to individual interpretations and associations. Through this exploration, she reveals the complexity of silence beyond simply being the absence of words.

Ellina Mourtazina • september 08, 2023

anthropologyofsilenceblog

Silence in the Post-Disaster Ethnographic Encounter