Lecture on Edward Evans Pritchard and Anthropology

Introduction to Evans Pritchard

• Who: Edward Evans Pritchard, a British anthropologist.
• Background: Born in 1902; educated at Winchester and Oxford.
• Interest in Anthropology: Shifted from history to anthropology due to its adventurous appeal.

Anthropology and Witchcraft

• Azande Witchcraft: Evans Pritchard's studies among the Azande highlighted their belief in witchcraft.
  • In their culture, witchcraft explained misfortunes and death.
  • Witchcraft was seen as a logical system, different from Western thought.
  • Evans Pritchard argued against dismissing primitive societies as irrational or inferior.
  • He believed in understanding their beliefs as coherent systems.

Fieldwork and Methodology

• Approach to Fieldwork: Anthropology required living among the subjects, learning their language and culture.
• Fieldwork among the Azande:
  • Lived with the Azande for 20 months.
  • Recorded their beliefs, customs, and social organization.
  • Emphasized the importance of integrating with the community.

Belief Systems and Rationality

• Cultural Relativism: Argued against viewing non-Western beliefs as inferior.
• Witchcraft as a Logical System:
  • Azande used oracles to understand and combat witchcraft.
  • Consulted poison oracles for decisions, e.g., healing sick relatives.
  • Maintained belief in witchcraft despite failures.

Influence of Colonial Context

• Colonial Influence:
  • Field studies often facilitated by colonial administrations.
  • Criticism of colonial attitudes towards native cultures.

Study of the Nuer

• Nuer Society:
  • Lived in the Upper Nile marshes; known for their resistance to colonial governance.
  • Cattle played a central role in Nuer life, economy, and social structure.
  • Described as having an "ordered anarchy" without a formal government.

Legacy and Impact

• Impact on Anthropology:
  • Emphasized understanding cultures through their belief systems and social structures.
  • Shifted focus from primitive mentality to coherent belief systems.
• Academic Influence:
  • Became a professor at Oxford, influencing future generations.
  • His approach encouraged consideration of native perspectives as authoritative.

Conclusion

• Anthropology as Interpretation:
  • Anthropology evolved to see anthropologists as interpreters rather than scientists.
  • Emphasized a holistic understanding of societies.

Reflections on the Role of Anthropology

• Understanding human social life requires studying remote societies for objectivity.
• The goal is to think and feel as the subjects do, allowing for a deeper understanding.