Bronisław Malinowski (1884–1942)

When it was first published (in 1967, posthumously), Bronislaw Malinowski's diary, covering the period of his fieldwork in 1914-1915 and 1917-1918 in New Guinea and the Trobriand Islands, set off a storm of controversy. Many anthropologists felt that the publication of the diarywhich Raymond Firth describes as "this revealing, egocentric, obsessional document"was a profound disservice to the memory of one of the giant figures in the history of anthropology. Almost certainly never intended to show more be published, Malinowski's diary was intensely personal and brutally honest. He kept it, he said, "as a means of self-analysis." Reviews ranged from "it is to the discredit of all concerned that the diary has now been committed to print" to "fascinating reading." Twenty years have passed, and Raymond Firth suggests that the book has moved over to a more central place in the literature of anthropological reflection. In 1967, Clifford Geertz felt that the "gross, tiresome" diary revealed Malinowski as "a crabbed, self-preoccupied, hypochondriacal narcissist, whose fellow-feeling for the people he lived with was limited in the extreme." But in 1988, Geertz referred to the diary as a "backstage masterpiece of anthropology, our The Double Helix." Similarly in 1987, James Clifford called it "a crucial document for the history of anthropology." show less

Although Bronislaw Malinowski was a famous anthropologist, don't expect to find out anything about anthropology from his diary. He hardly ever wrote about his work, focusing instead on his loves and lusts, books he read, and obsessing over his health. (He was a hypochondriac who regularly dosed himself with arsenic, the turn-of-the-century aspirin.) I think this book better teaches the reader about the opinions and way of thinking of the European man during that time.

Frankly, I couldn't show more stand Malinowski. He was pretentious and bigoted and half the time I wanted to slap him. As an anthropologist you would expect he would be less prejudiced than the average person -- and perhaps, scarily, he was. But he consistently referred to his research subjects as "brutes" and "savages" and by a certain unprintable racial slur. He found their women attractive and occasionally "pawed" them, but actually sleeping with them was out of the question -- he seemed to equate the idea with bestiality. He had a fiancee back in Poland, but that didn't stop him from lusting after every white woman he met, and sometimes acting on it.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but I didn't get much out of it other than a bad taste in my mouth. However, I think it is a valuable historical document, and people studying the period would find it useful. show less

Resposta antropológica às teorias de Freud, o livro está dividido da seguinte forma:

Parte I – Parte de explanações sobre o desenvolvimento da sociedade matrilinear da Melanésia, desde a infância/adolescência até a idade adulta e instaura a impossibilidade de aplicar o complexo de Édipo em tal sociedade devido à estrutura de fazer do pai não um indivíduo a ser temido, chefe de família, e transferir o tabu de incesto da mãe para a irmã.

Parte II – Capítulo destinado a show more discorrer sobre como são interpretados os sonhos, os mitos, a magia entre outros eventos da ordem do místico, na sociedade melanésia.

Parte III – Basicamente escrito para contradizer os saberes de Totem e Tabu de Sigmund Freud, também consta a contra argumentação de Ernest Jones sobre a Parte I previamente publicada, o que consta aqui é a impossibilidade de transformar o Complexo de Édipo em algo universal devido às diferenças sociais quando o mesmo foi edificado na sociedade patriarcal europeia do início do século XX.

Parte IV – Comparação entre as sociedades humanas e a organização social dos animais ditos irracionais, basicamente um desenvolver entre o que é instinto e o que é cultura.

É um bom livro, especialmente na sua veia bem argumentada contra as teorias de Freud, mas Malinowski é tão ultrapassado quanto o próprio Freud. Ambos são bons de se ler como documentos históricos, mas pouco aplicáveis à nossa realidade do século XXI. show less

"The Sexual Life of Savages in North-Western Melanesia" is a groundbreaking ethnographic work by renowned anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski. This volume, the first in a series of studies, was published in 1929 and is a seminal work in the field of anthropology. It offers a deep and intricate examination of the sexual practices and customs of the Trobriand Islanders, providing unique insights into their culture and way of life.

Malinowski's meticulous and immersive approach to ethnography is show more evident throughout the volume. He lived among the Trobriand Islanders for an extended period, allowing him to gain the trust of the community and gain intimate access to their daily lives. This extensive fieldwork provided the foundation for his comprehensive analysis.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Sexual Life of Savages in North-Western Melanesia" is the way Malinowski goes beyond mere observation and description. He skillfully contextualizes the sexual practices within the broader framework of Trobriand culture, highlighting the social, economic, and psychological factors that influence their behaviors. This holistic approach sets the work apart as a remarkable contribution to the field of anthropology.

Malinowski's writing is clear and engaging, making even complex cultural concepts and practices accessible to the reader. His keen observations and detailed descriptions offer a vivid picture of the Trobriand Islanders' world, allowing readers to understand their sexual customs and beliefs with depth and nuance.

The work is not without its critics, as some have raised concerns about the potential for ethnocentrism and the representation of indigenous cultures. However, it's important to remember that Malinowski's study was groundbreaking for its time and marked a significant shift in how anthropologists approached fieldwork and cultural understanding. The volume remains an invaluable resource for scholars in anthropology and related fields.

In conclusion, "The Sexual Life of Savages in North-Western Melanesia" is a classic work in the field of anthropology that has withstood the test of time. Bronislaw Malinowski's immersive research, contextual analysis, and accessible writing style make it a foundational text for anyone interested in the study of culture and human societies. While it must be approached with an understanding of the historical and cultural context in which it was written, this volume remains a vital resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of the intricate cultural tapestry of the Trobriand Islanders. show less