Symbolic Anthropology

Dame Mary Douglas (1921-2007) Mary Douglas, British anthropologist, known for her writings on human culture and symbolism. Her area is social anthropology, where she is considered a follower of Durkheim, with a strong interest in comparative religion. She was born as Margaret Mary Tew in San Remo, Italy; her parents were in the British colonial service. [...]

Symbolic/Interpretive Anthropology

Symbolic/Interpretive Anthropology always seems to find its way into current discussions of anthropology.  Is it a post-modern thing?  The following classics, particularly the Cockfight article, are great illustrations on the genre. -Mary Douglas, External Boundaries (1966) -Victor Turner, Symbols in Ndembu Ritual (1967) -Clifford Geertz, Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight (1973)