Introduction
The Ethnography that is being analyzed is The Innocent Anthropologist: Notes from a Mud Hut by Nigel Barley. Nigel Barley is a British anthropologist, who set up a home among the Dowayo people the northern Cameroon. Nigel Barley spent two years among the Dowayo people, which was between the year 1978 and 1980. The main reason for him to settle among the Dowayo people was to explore the culture and conduct research in the Third World area. During his research, he discovered ways to survive hostility, illness, boredom, and disaster. He also discovered the critical issues in the fieldwork and anthropology. This paper will analyze The Innocent Anthropologist: Notes from a Mud Hut Ethnography by Nigel Barley.
Methods Used to Collect Data
Nigel Barley used several methods to collect data and to carry out his research. Most of the data he collected were personal. For instance, when the dentist office removed his two front teeth is a physical collection of data. In addition, most data were collected through interacting and acquiring information from the Dowayo people in Cameroon. Nigel Barley used the various forms of collecting data such as verbal, visual, and written art forms. Through communicating with the Dowayo people, Nigel Barley acquired much information on their culture and their lifestyle. Through observation of the Dowayo people, Nigel Barley learned much information. In going from one place to the other within Cameroon, he obtained much data.
Chapter-by-chapter Survey of the Contents of the Ethnography
The Reasons Why
In this chapter, Nigel Barley explains the reasons why he carries out the research. In addition, he highlights what really propels him to do his fieldwork. One of his main agendas in conducting the research was to contribute to the development of the human knowledge. It clearly supports the main objective of the research because he wanted to obtain information on the culture and forms of life of the Dowayo people. This background information helps people to understand the reasons for his fieldwork and how he has brought research into a reality.
Be Prepared
The main cause of this chapter is to elaborate the things Nigel Barley required to reach Cameroon. This chapter highlights the step by step procedure on how the author moved from his native home to Cameroon. Nigel Barley gives his audience the process of moving from foreign country to the African country. Nigel Barley also displays his innocence by selecting one alternative over the other. This chapter is relevant because it gives aid in the preparation of the journey to Cameroon.
In this chapter, Nigel Barley explains how the journey was in detail. And how he visualized the crowds of the Europeans in the plane. He also highlights how he moved from one place to the other and the challenges he faced in every situation. This gives the fieldwork because it is about recording every situation as it happened. Nigel Barley describes the differences between the Christians and the Muslims. This chapter is relevant because it shows how Nigel Barley maneuvers through the hills of Cameroon.
Honi soit qui Malinowski
This chapter shows how the author carries out his fieldwork and how he interacts with the Dowayo group of people. The author highlights how the missionaries in the Dowayoland welcome him warmly. The chapter highlight how the environment looks like, which is relevant to the research.
Take me to your Leader
This chapter highlights how Nigel Barley, the anthropologist is taken to see the people in charge at the Embassy. He also compares the life he used to live with the current life he lives among the Dowayo people in Cameroon.
Is the sky clear for you?
This chapter is equally important because it describes how Nigel Barley interacted with the Dowayo people. The question posed in this chapter is intended to obtain information on how the Dowayo people view the sky.
‘O Cameroon, O Cradle of our Fathers’
This chapter highlights the tribulations Nigel Barley faced in Cameroon. It is not easy for a foreigner such as Nigel Barley to blend well with people of different cultures and beliefs.
Rock Bottom
This chapter shows the lowest point of the author in Cameroon. It is because of how he was treated by the people in authority. Every ethnography has its advantages and disadvantages; hence, they are both relevant to this research. Nigel Barley had to discover ways to handle tough situations and to seek help where necessary.
Ex Africa semper quid nasty
This section of the book contains the cultural insights of the Dowayo people. It also highlights the challenges faced during the interaction of the Dowayo community and Nigel Barley.
Rites and Wrongs
This chapter highlights the various rites and wrongs associated with the Dowayo people. The chapter is relevant because it brings out the personal experiences Nigel Barley living with the Dowayo people.
The Wet and the Dry
This chapter plays a significant role in ethnography, and it describes the various rites of passage experienced by the Dowayo people.
First and Last Fruits
This chapter highlights the last moments of Nigel Barley in the Dowayo village. This means that he has gained much experience in exploring the cultures and ways of living of a section of the Cameroon people.
An English Alien
This chapter is relevant to the ethnography because it highlights how the Dowayo people viewed Nigel Barley. According to one of them, they considered him an English alien because he wanted to find more about their culture.
Discussion
The most important parts of this ethnography are to obtain information on how the research was done by Nigel Barley. From the data collected by the author, it blends with the theoretical data written in the book. The methods and data are adequate because it covers an enormous scope of the research. The author tries to interconnect the different cultures within Cameroon. The most important issue of the ethnography is to understand the various cultures that people have in their borders.
Conclusion
Works Cited
Barley, Nigel. Adventures In A Mud Hut. New York: Vanguard Press, 2000. Print.
