Anthropological Roundup

Anthropology of Nepal: Peoples, Problems and Processes

Michael Allen, editor

Mandala Book Point, Kathmandu

1994

This is a collection of 34 essays presented at an international seminar organised by the University of Sidney and the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies in September 1992 in Kathmandu.

The most outstanding feature of this book is the variety of topics it presents. This diversity illustrates the trajectory that the anthropology of Nepal has spanned in the last three decades, from its initial obsessions with caste, social structure, and religion to issues concerned with development, the nation-state, and the politics of culture. The essays collectively show how Anthropology as a critical discipline can contribute to a better understanding and perhaps resolution of Nepal's numerous societal problems. They also illuminate how, theory and practice of anthropology must not be separated as they have so far been among its practitioners.

The papers on 'Anthropology of Resource Management' highlight the links between forestry and anthropology, providing useful insights into understanding the politics of development, local cultural practices, and social change in Nepal. While exploring issues such as indigenous and community forestry management and farming systems, writers have simultaneously pointed out the importance of understanding the gender dimension in the "eco-crisis" (Sumitra Gurung); the historical dynamics of environmental degradation (Om Gurung); and the labour and forest use strategies (Ben Campbell, Ephrosine Daniggelis). Papers under this heading, except the one by Om Gurung, however, focus on micro level institutions. Absent is a critical look at the relationship between international donor agencies, state policies, NGOs, powerful persons in the community, and the local users of natural resources.

On women and gender, some of the common themes evoked are women's resistance, power, and the relationship between shakti (female form of transformative power), kingship and the state. Barbara N. Aziz presents a biography of a dissident and progressive woman in the Arun River Valley and critiques the patriarchal processes of history-making which have obliterated women's contribution. Aziz indicates the potential of both oral sources and biographical information to reconstruct something that has been sidelined. Julia Thompson delineates women's use of rituals and religious activities as forms of overt or covert resistance. Through a close reading of Swasthani textual and ritual traditions, Linda Iltis argues that shakti is evoked in rituals performed by women to empower individuals, families, communities, the king, and ultimately the state. Tordis Korvald and Bert van den Hoek also share Iltis' concern about female power, but in the context of Newar dance rituals.

The book also contains essays dealing with the nation-state, collective identity and action, and urban problems. A new form of collective identity known as Jana-shakti and certain modalities of action have become widespread after the 1990 movement argues Vivenne Kondos. But increasing state control over local resources has disempowered local organisations according to Stephen Mikesell's close reading of Nepal's new local government law of 1992. State-subject relations is also highlighted by Kondos et al. in their analysis of industrial workers' political action and the state's response. While the variety of topics discussed has certainly enriched the Anthropology of Nepal, there are remnants of "gatekeeping concepts", with Newar culture portrayed as the only culture of Kathmandu. Although topics such as musical genres, changing family patterns in urban areas, urban traffic behaviour, and actions of Bahun and Chhetri women are explored, there are at least six papers based on field work among the Newars of Kathmandu. In addition, essays (except Prayag Raj Sharma's) dealing with urbanism focus only on the towns of Kathmandu Valley and therefore leave the theoretical problem of conceptualising the relationship between old and new urban centres and processes of urbanisation unresolved.

Onta is a student of anthropology currently working with Kathmandu's street children.