CALL FOR PAPERS

The ethnographic method consists of several stages: mastery of anthropological theory, the development of a coherent research plan, the formulation of sound research questions, the conduct of fieldwork, mastery of all the various data collection techniques, and the production of the written work. This is what highlights our originality and defines us as anthropologists. Although this final stage—writing—has already received attention from classic authors such as Clifford Geertz and James Clifford, who explored the role of the anthropologist as an author, ethnographic writing could be given greater prominence in academic studies and anthropology course discussions. Ethnographic writing is of paramount importance, for it is through the process of dense description that the anthropologist weaves together fragments of information, unites utterances and scenes, and gives meaning to isolated elements from the perspective of their lived experience in the field, their theoretical, scientific, and ideological—and even personal—assumptions. This implies an ability to write not only factual data, but also verisimilaneous and reflective accounts. Thus, ethnographic writing is a creative process in the same sense as literary writing. In other words, relating ethnographic writing to literature allows one to highlight the author’s creative sensibility. For this reason, discussions about the challenges and possibilities of ethnographic writing as a literary genre—with its distinctive characteristics and unique narrative strategies—can and should gain greater momentum in anthropological debates and courses. This dossier aims to highlight the unique features of ethnographic writing in the field of anthropology, reflect on its creative paths, narrative styles, and relationship with literature, and propose pedagogical approaches for the training of anthropologists.