Product Description

'The Whiteman' is one of the most powerful and pervasive symbols in contemporary American Indian cultures. Portraits of 'the Whiteman': linguistic play and cultural symbols among the Western Apache investigates a complex form of joking in which Apaches stage carefully crafted imitations of Anglo-Americans and, by means of these characterizations, give audible voice and visible substance to their conceptions of this most pressing of social 'problems'. Keith Basso's essay, based on linguistic and ethnographic materials collected in Cibecue, a Western Apache community, provides interpretations of selected joking encounters to demonstrate how Apaches go about making sense of the behaviour of Anglo-Americans. The portraits developed in these texts are understood as models of Whitemen and for dealing with Whitemen created by Apaches for Apaches. More obliquely, they also express Apaches' conception of themselves, for 'the Whiteman' has long been a symbol of what 'the Apache' is not. This study draws on current theory in symbolic anthropology, sociolinguistics, and the dramaturgical model of human communication developed by Erving Goffman. Although the assumptions and premises that shape these areas of inquiry are held by some to be quite disparate, this analysis shows them to be fully compatible and mutually complementary. In order to make explicit the meanings of joking texts, Basso examines in detail the abstract principles, both linguistic and nonlinguistic, for constructing and interpreting joking imitations in the context of face-to-face encounters. An exercise in cultural interpretation, this essay is also a study of ethnographic theory, the anthropology of play, American Indian humor, and the function of ethic boundaries in the everyday life of a modern Western Apache community.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #70588 in Books
• Published on: 1979-08-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Review
'Portraits of 'the Whiteman' ... is an exceptional piece of work ... What it presents is something that is very different for an ethnographer to obtain; indeed, the material presented is unprecedented. The essay is well written, and it packs a wallop. It goes to the very heart of the difficulties in Anglo-American and Native American relations. It should be required reading for every Anglo-American whose work involves him with Native Americans. It will also be exceedingly useful as collateral reading in introductory courses in cultural anthropology.' Ward H. Goodenough 'Ethnographers are not the only ones who do ethnography and Portraits of 'the Whitemen' presents the most subtle evidence that this is so far for North American Indians. It is absolutely at the cutting edge of developments in mutual understanding, to say nothing of the fact that it is superb anthropology.' Alfonso Ortiz

Drawing on current theory in symbolic anthropology and sociolinguistics, this interpretive essay investigates a complex form of joking based on material collected in a Western Apache community wherein Apaches stage carefully crafted imitations of Anglo-Americans. -- Book Description

Review
'Portraits of 'the Whiteman' ... is an exceptional piece of work ... What it presents is something that is very different for an ethnographer to obtain; indeed, the material presented is unprecedented. The essay is well written, and it packs a wallop. It goes to the very heart of the difficulties in Anglo-American and Native American relations. It should be required reading for every Anglo-American whose work involves him with Native Americans. It will also be exceedingly useful as collateral reading in introductory courses in cultural anthropology.' Ward H. Goodenough

'Ethnographers are not the only ones who do ethnography and Portraits of 'the Whitemen' presents the most subtle evidence that this is so far for North American Indians. It is absolutely at the cutting edge of developments in mutual understanding, to say nothing of the fact that it is superb anthropology.' Alfonso Ortiz

Customer Reviews

Excellent tool for understanding
"Portraits" allows for an insider's view of a social practice virtually unknown outside of anthropological cricles. Concise, and written with an economy of language, the author manages to relate the topic without sliding into the boredom of dry essay. Humor is hard to study, and harder to write about, without killing the joke. Basso actually made me laugh out loud.

Excellent source for qualitative research methods
Basso is one of the premier ethnographers in the U.S. His studies of the Western Apache are excellent models for how to do good ethnography. More importantly, Native American students in my classes find this book to be a faithful depiction of communication among many Native peoples.