The Habitus of Fieldwork: the Self as the New Other

An extensive 22-month field study in Wadi Rum Desert, Jordan, reveals that anthropological research transforms the researcher into an 'Other,' challenging preconceived notions of self and culture. Through deep engagement with Bedouin informants, particularly the Zalabieh community, the study highlights how mutual interaction reshapes both the researcher's identity and the cultural practices of the studied group. The research emphasizes the unconscious construction of new selves through coexistence, while also exposing gender dynamics that subvert traditional power structures. By advocating for 'mediation' over 'study,' the work underscores the reciprocal nature of anthropological inquiry, where boundaries between observer and observed blur, leading to a more nuanced understanding of cultural habitus.

Marinaki, K. (2019). THE HABITUS OF FIELDWORK: THE SELF AS THE NEW OTHER. IJASOS- International E-Journal of Advances in Social Sciences, 5(15), 1491–1499. LOCKSS. https://doi.org/10.18769/ijasos.592123