People living by the sea

People of the Sea: Identity and Descent among the Vezo of Madagascar

【Content Introduction】
How do we define a person?
The Vezo, a group of fishermen from western Madagascar, make their living from the sea. They are gentle, have few taboos, dislike being tied down, and resist being defined by others. They are irrational, lacking a grasp of the past and plans for the future, and often find themselves in unexpected situations. Anthropologist Astuti traveled to the islands, lived by the sea with the Vezo, and fished at sea, exploring the path to becoming a human being.
This is a must-read classic for researchers of ethnicity and identity, a lighthearted and engaging ethnography. The author reintroduces cultural diversity into the study of ethnic identity, allowing readers to appreciate that what makes us human is constantly being shaped, not necessarily fixed by definitions. Just like every day, the "identity" of the Wezo people is renewed and begins anew.
【Editor's Recommendation】
A classic study of ethnic identity, breaking with common sense. Everyone has the opportunity to break free from the past. "Present action" is how we become a person. [Recommended by experts]
Anyone interested in theories of ethnicity and identity should read this book. Astuti's ideas on kinship, descent, and death are highly illuminating for Malagasy studies, but their relevance extends far beyond Madagascar.
—American Anthropologist
The book has an unusual combination of cool analysis and warm description.
—Michael Lambeck, American anthropologist "This ethnography illuminates issues of identity that are lacking in the academic literature; the work represents important insights into the ways people perceive themselves. Its organization is logical and its discussion is thorough... The easy reading and clear discussion, along with its captivating subject matter, make this ethnography well-suited for undergraduate courses."
——Review of Religious Studies

2023-01-01

华东师范大学出版社

Mint Experiment

230

9787576027808