Fernando Ortiz - Caribbean and Mediterranean Counterpoints

Fernando Ortiz's 1940 concept of "transculturation" was an early case of theory from the South, proposing a contrapuntal vision of cultural emergence. This volume engineers an unprecedented conversation between Mediterraneanists and Caribbeanists, harnessing Ortiz's formulations to explore migration, territorial sovereignty, and cultural diversity. The contributors explore this perspective to enable novel analytics for both regions and probe the promises and limits of Ortiz's contribution for contemporary anthropological research and theorizing.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 550 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2023
Publisher: HAU Society Of Ethnographic Theory

Cross-regional scholarly dialogue inspired by the pioneering Cuban scholar. Fernando Ortiz (1881–1969) coined the term "transculturation" in 1940. This was an early case of theory from the South: concepts developed from an explicitly peripheral epistemological vantage point and launched as a corrective to European and North American theoretical formulations. What Ortiz proposed was a contrapuntal vision of complexly entangled processes that we, today, would conceptualize as cultural emergence.

Inspired by Ortiz, this volume engineers an unprecedented conversation between Mediterraneanists and Caribbeanists. It harnesses Ortiz's mid-twentieth-century theoretical formulations to early twenty-first-century issues pertinent to both regions, including migration, territorial sovereignty, and cultural diversity. The contributors explore this perspective (arguably formed during Ortiz's youth in late nineteenth-century Menorca) in a dialogue between scholars of the contemporary Caribbean and Mediterranean to enable novel analytics for both regions and to more broadly to probe the promises and limits of Ortiz's contribution for contemporary anthropological research and theorizing.

Ortiz's transculturation theory, which he developed in the mid-twentieth century, offered a unique perspective on the complex processes of cultural emergence. He argued that cultures were not static entities but rather dynamic and interconnected, influenced by a range of factors, including historical, social, economic, and political processes. Ortiz's theory challenged the notion of cultural purity and instead emphasized the importance of hybridity and the mixing of different cultural elements.

This volume seeks to explore the relevance of Ortiz's transculturation theory for contemporary anthropological research and theorizing. The contributors draw on Ortiz's ideas to address a range of issues, including migration, territorial sovereignty, and cultural diversity. They argue that Ortiz's theory provides a valuable framework for understanding the complex processes of cultural change and transformation in the contemporary world.

One of the key insights of Ortiz's theory is that culture is not a fixed entity but rather a fluid and dynamic process that is constantly evolving and adapting to changing circumstances. This means that cultures are not only influenced by their own historical and social context but also by the broader global context in which they exist. Ortiz's theory also emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural dialogue and interaction in the process of cultural emergence. He argued that different cultures can learn from each other and that cultural exchange can promote cultural diversity and innovation.

In the contemporary world, where migration and globalization have become increasingly prevalent, Ortiz's transculturation theory provides a valuable framework for understanding the complex processes of cultural change and adaptation. The contributors to this volume argue that Ortiz's theory can help us to better understand the experiences of migrants and diasporas, who are often forced to navigate between different cultural contexts and traditions. They also argue that Ortiz's theory can help us to better understand the challenges and opportunities that arise from cultural diversity, including the potential for conflict and cooperation.

Another important aspect of Ortiz's transculturation theory is its emphasis on the role of power and inequality in the process of cultural emergence. He argued that dominant cultures often impose their own values and beliefs on subordinate cultures, leading to cultural domination and marginalization. Ortiz's theory provides a framework for challenging these power dynamics and promoting cultural equity and justice.

In conclusion, this volume offers a unique and innovative perspective on the complex processes of cultural emergence and change. Inspired by the pioneering work of Fernando Ortiz, it engineers an unprecedented conversation between Mediterraneanists and Caribbeanists, harnessing Ortiz's theoretical formulations to address contemporary issues pertinent to both regions. The contributors explore Ortiz's perspective in a dialogue between scholars of the contemporary Caribbean and Mediterranean, enabling novel analytics for both regions and probing the promises and limits of Ortiz's contribution for contemporary anthropological research and theorizing. Ortiz's transculturation theory provides a valuable framework for understanding the complex processes of cultural change and transformation in the contemporary world, and this volume contributes to the ongoing dialogue between different cultural traditions and perspectives.

Dimension: 9 x 6 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781912808922