The unequal brothers-in-law; Indonesia as a ýField of anthropological studyý and the case of Mentawai

Bibliographic Data

ID2690197
AuthorsReimar Schefold (Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies, corresponding author)
Year1986
Volume142
Issue1
Pages69-86
Publication date1986-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeBOOK
VenueBijdragen tot de taal- land- en volkenkunde / Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences of Southeast Asia (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0006-2294 • E-ISSN: 2213-4379
PublisherBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/22134379-90003369
OpenAlexW2048285436
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited9

This article explores the anthropological study of Indonesia, focusing on the Mentawai islands as a case study. It challenges the prevailing Java-centric approach, arguing for a more nuanced understanding of Indonesian diversity. Schefold critiques the tendency to view Indonesia through a Javanese lens, highlighting the unique cultural and social structures of the Mentawai people. He emphasizes the importance of considering local contexts and avoiding generalizations when studying Indonesian societies. The article also discusses the relationship between anthropology and colonialism, examining how colonial power dynamics influenced anthropological research in Indonesia. Schefold advocates for a more critical and reflexive approach to anthropological study, urging researchers to acknowledge the historical and political context of their work

Asian Studies and History

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