Att vidga "det mänskliga"

Om kvinno- och genusperspektiv i antropologi

Abstract

As an introduction, the present article describes four evolutionary stages in feminist anthropology. These are characterized by a critique of androcentrism in traditional anthropology; making women "visible" in anthropology; theoretical criticism of basic assumptions and concepts, and finally, reflexivity and criticism of their own concepts. Thereafter, the present author proceeds to discuss the application of a feminist, gender perspective to her own field of research, the study of religious practices in a small Portuguese community. Here it is relevant to make use of perspectives from all the above-mentioned phases in feminist anthropology. The author maintains that a making visible of the religious practices and experiences of women leads to an interpretation of the participation of women in the cult of the Virgin which differs from the one put forth by traditional anthropology. Furthermore, this perspective brings out new religious meanings and themes in popular Catholic observance. In conclusion, the significance of and possibilities for an integration of the gender perspective into the theoretical mainstream of anthropology is commented upon.