HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory
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Knowing more by knowing less: Knowledge and the will to ignorance among Indonesian Buddhists
No full textIn this article, I explore the theme of spiritual ignorance that is prevalent in the doctrinal foundation of Buddhism and yet is rarely discussed in the anthropological work about Buddhism, particularly with regard to laities who possess an adequate understanding of Buddhist philosophy. Through constantly insisting on their own ignorance about practical decision-making while simultaneously referring to the authority of their spiritual teacher, I argue that my interlocutors understand the invocation of ignorance not in terms of a lack of knowledge, but as a result of systematically pursuing knowledge to its logical end. To extend the exploration of ignorance, I also briefly discuss another important theme in Buddhism, karma, to reflect whether the apparent act of surrendering agency (by enacting ignorance) can be reconciled with the principle of personal agency embedded in the notion of karma
Boundaries within intimacy: Jewish women in Moroccan spaces
No full textThis article explores the complex interplay of differentiation and cultural intimacy in the interactions between Moroccan Jews and their Muslim neighbors. While the Jewish community in Morocco emphasizes its distinct identity by maintaining clear boundaries between Jewish and Muslim spaces, this effort paradoxically highlights shared cultural understandings between the two groups, facilitated by a tacit Muslim agreement to the existence of Jewish enclaves. Jewish women, marginalized both as Jews in a Muslim-majority society and as women in a patriarchal Jewish community, navigate this duality not by uniting these forms of marginalization, but by focusing on the existential threat of being a Jewish minority. This perceived threat is counterbalanced by the cultural intimacy between the groups. The article illustrates how Jewish women strategically use their unique position to negotiate and manage cultural boundaries
The “mejoristas”: The rise of a libertarian mindset among Argentina’s youth
No full textA shared disapproval of the economy, politics, and the state characterized the young voters who voted for Argentina’s current libertarian president, Javier Milei. This dissatisfaction stems from experiences characterized by persistent inflation, chronic disappointment with elected officials, and, underlying it all, the weakness of state institutions. Against this backdrop, in the face of rapid technological changes and amid the havoc of the pandemic, a social mindset favoring a right-wing agenda has emerged. This paper explores this mindset (which we refer to as “mejorismo,” or “betterism”) and its connection to the milestones cited above, arguing that the libertarian candidate’s victory was preceded by a profound social and cultural shift
Jane Guyer: Interactions between African economic anthropology and African economic history
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Argentina’s indigenous policy under a libertarian regime: An oxymoron with worrying nuances
No full textAlthough Javier Milei’s administration has only just begun, some of its statements and initiatives already indicate policies that threaten the lives and rights of indigenous peoples. Deeply embedded libertarian principles are in clear conflict with key constitutional mandates regarding indigenous policy. Moreover, libertarian modes of governance amplify entrenched narratives of Argentina’s formation of alterity, which hinder the full implementation of indigenous rights. Consequently, a qualitative shift towards heightened conflict appears to be underway, as the current presidency not only fails to suppress but actively amplifies the racist rhetoric of the country’s most anti-indigenous sectors and interests