Discuss some of the anthropological works based on symbolic and interpretative approach.

1. Introduction to Symbolic and Interpretative Approach

The symbolic and interpretative approach in anthropology focuses on understanding culture through the interpretation of symbols, meanings, and shared understandings within a society. This approach emphasizes the subjective experiences and interpretations of individuals and groups, exploring how cultural symbols and rituals shape social life and identity.

2. Clifford Geertz: The Interpretation of Cultures

Clifford Geertz's seminal work, "The Interpretation of Cultures," is a foundational text in symbolic anthropology. Geertz advocated for an interpretative approach to understanding culture, arguing that anthropologists should interpret the symbolic meanings embedded in cultural practices rather than seeking universal laws or explanations. He introduced the concept of "thick description," which involves providing detailed accounts of cultural phenomena to capture their deeper meanings and significance within specific cultural contexts. Geertz's ethnographic studies of Balinese cockfighting and Moroccan bazaars exemplify his approach to interpreting cultural symbols and rituals.

3. Victor Turner: The Ritual Process

Victor Turner's work on ritual and symbolism has been highly influential in anthropology. In "The Ritual Process," Turner explores the social significance of rituals as liminal experiences that temporarily disrupt social norms and hierarchies, allowing for the renegotiation of cultural meanings and identities. Turner introduced the concept of "liminality," the transitional phase during rituals where individuals or groups experience ambiguity and a temporary suspension of social structure. His analysis of rituals among the Ndembu of Zambia and the Ndembu concept of "communitas" has provided valuable insights into the symbolic dimensions of social life and cultural change.

4. Mary Douglas: Purity and Danger

Mary Douglas's work on symbolism and cultural classification has contributed significantly to anthropological understandings of culture and social organization. In "Purity and Danger," Douglas explores the symbolic meanings attributed to purity and pollution in different cultural contexts. She argues that cultural classification systems reflect underlying social structures and values, shaping perceptions of order and disorder within society. Douglas's analysis of the symbolism of dirt, taboo, and bodily boundaries has influenced studies of ritual, cosmology, and social hierarchy in diverse cultural settings.

5. Sherry Ortner: Anthropology and Social Theory

Sherry Ortner's examination of culture and power has enriched symbolic anthropology. In "Anthropology and Social Theory," Ortner explores the relationship between culture, power, and social inequality, emphasizing the role of symbolic practices in reproducing and contesting social hierarchies. She argues that cultural symbols and meanings are not only reflections of social structure but also active agents in shaping social reality. Ortner's analysis of gender symbolism among the Sherpas of Nepal and the symbolic dimensions of resistance movements has expanded anthropological understandings of power and agency.

6. David Schneider: American Kinship

David Schneider's work on kinship and symbolism challenged traditional anthropological assumptions about kinship as a universal biological or social phenomenon. In "American Kinship," Schneider argues that kinship is a cultural system of symbols and meanings rather than a natural or biological fact. He contends that kinship terminology and practices vary across cultures and are shaped by cultural beliefs and social norms. Schneider's analysis of kinship symbolism among American kinship systems has influenced anthropological studies of kinship, identity, and social organization.

Conclusion

The symbolic and interpretative approach in anthropology has generated rich insights into the complexity of culture and social life. Through the analysis of symbols, rituals, and cultural meanings, anthropologists have explored how individuals and groups interpret and construct their social worlds. Works by scholars such as Clifford Geertz, Victor Turner, Mary Douglas, Sherry Ortner, and David Schneider have demonstrated the importance of understanding culture as a system of symbols and meanings, highlighting the subjective dimensions of human experience and the dynamic interplay between culture, power, and identity.