Colonial crisis and mimetic encounters in historical and anthropological perspective
Colonial crisis and mimetic encounters in historical and anthropological perspective
This project seeks to explore from the perspective of historical anthropology the varied indigenous and colonial experiences of, and strategies for dealing with, crises resulting from colonial encounters. Colonial crisis will be approached not simply as a negative and destructive notion, but also as a cross-cultural juncture for the reconfiguration of social relationships. We also intend to especially focus on the mimetic dimension of colonial encounters and strategies, and to consider both the practical and imaginary aspects of mimesis as cross-cultural processes. Methodologically and theoretically we want to explore this theme through the application of a new set of theories deriving from postcolonial studies and studies of material culture. Thereby we aim at achieving a more thorough understanding of the complex and multifaceted relationships between colonizers and colonized beyond simple ideas of oppression, resistance and the destruction of indigenous cultures. The following research questions will guide our rethinking of internal and imperial colonialism as a historical and anthropological phenomenon: How, and why, are certain colonial encounters and events experienced and represented as 'crisis', for example in archives? Which specific processes are triggered by these experiences and representations, and how does this reconfigure the social, cultural, and political forms mediating between colonizers and colonized? Can processes of crisis be understood as productive moments of the reinvention of the social, rather than mere negative aspects of colonialism? What strategies are used to deal with colonial crisis, within both the colonizing and indigenous communities; and, specifically, what are the mimetic strategies for dealing with crises in the course of colonial encounters?
Colonial mimesis,
Crisis,
Theory of archives,
Materiality
This project seeks to explore from the perspective of historical anthropology the varied indigenous and colonial experiences of, and strategies for dealing with, crises resulting from colonial encounters. Colonial crisis will be approached not simply as a negative and destructive notion, but also as a cross-cultural juncture for the reconfiguration of social relationships. We also intend to especially focus on the mimetic dimension of colonial encounters and strategies, and to consider both the practical and imaginary aspects of mimesis as cross-cultural processes. Methodologically and theoretically we want to explore this theme through the application of a new set of theories deriving from postcolonial studies and studies of material culture. Thereby we aim at achieving a more thorough understanding of the complex and multifaceted relationships between colonizers and colonized beyond simple ideas of oppression, resistance and the destruction of indigenous cultures. The following research questions will guide our rethinking of internal and imperial colonialism as a historical and anthropological phenomenon: How, and why, are certain colonial encounters and events experienced and represented as 'crisis', for example in archives? Which specific processes are triggered by these experiences and representations, and how does this reconfigure the social, cultural, and political forms mediating between colonizers and colonized? Can processes of crisis be understood as productive moments of the reinvention of the social, rather than mere negative aspects of colonialism? What strategies are used to deal with colonial crisis, within both the colonizing and indigenous communities; and, specifically, what are the mimetic strategies for dealing with crises in the course of colonial encounters?