SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN ISLAMIC CONTEXTS: ANTHROPOLOGICAL APPROACHES

 

Maria Cardeira da Silva *

 

I will present, very briefly, some of the main approaches within social sciences, and particularly anthropology, which have contributed to elucidate social movements in Islamic contexts. This is specifically intended to provide a general overview, in order to more easily situate the following presentations. This also aims to better integrate those readers less familiarized with the anthropological jargon and current debates on these subjects. I will give particular importance to ethnographic research and its relevant role in preventing or refraining essentialist conclusions and considerations on matters of such political relevance. I will also highlight the authors who have used their ethnographies in order to try to solve the current dilemma between political and analytical approaches, a dilemma that is a frequent source for misunderstandings on these topics.

KEYWORDS: anthropology, ethnography, resistance, social movements, Islam, gender veil.

 

 

MOVIMENTOS SOCIAIS EM CONTEXTOS ISLÂMICOS: ABORDAGENS ANTROPOLÓGICAS

Apresentarei aqui, de forma sumária, algumas das principais abordagens no seio das ciências sociais, e em particular da antropologia, que contribuíram para o conhecimento dos movimentos sociais em contextos islâmicos. Este texto tem como principal objectivo fornecer uma visão geral que permita situar os restantes textos deste dossiê com facilidade; igualmente, pretende familiarizar os leitores menos especializados com os debates contemporâneos sobre esta temática e o jargão antropológico. Atribuirei uma importância particular à questão da pesquisa etnográfica e à relevância do seu papel na prevenção ou combate a conclusões essencialistas e considerações sobre estes assuntos, revestidos de uma urgência política. Também darei especial importância aos autores que fizeram uso da etnografia para tentar resolver o dilema contemporâneo entre abordagem política e analítica que tão frequentemente armadilha a pesquisa sobre estes temas.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: antropologia, etnografia, resistência, movimentos sociais, Islão, véu e género.

 

 

Texto completo disponível apenas em PDF.

Full text only available in PDF format.

 

 

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* Maria Cardeira da Silva

Universidade Nova de Lisboa FCSH

smamc@fcsh.unl.pt