At the Arctic Circle in Finland, Rovaniemi, we are frantically putting the finishing touches to the programme of the biennial conference of the Finnish Anthropological Society, from 21-23 March 2023. The programme is now online, here . More on the keynotes below, . Alla and Puti Okotetto enact their relation with cards, Yamal Peninsula, Sabetta, …
Continue reading Relations and beyond – keynotes by Vitebsky, Strathern and Ingold to be streamed
The first thing flying into Kangerlussuaq, Greenland reminds us that this is 'properly' Arctic. For most people who call the North home, the Arctic is further up North from where they live. But for the incomers, the Arctic is appealing! Usually we associate Inuit livelihood with hunting, both terrestrial and sea-mammal, beautiful material culture, handicrafts …
Continue reading Greenland’s South: Inuit pastoralists in a rapidly changing Arctic environment
Some of us Arctic anthropologists may not have China on the immediate radar of their interest. However, China has become an increasingly important player in the Arctic, through various projects such as the Arctic Silk Road, their interest in Arctic Council membership, and their Arctic Policy. Our colleagues from the Nordic Network on Chinese Thought …
For the first time, an Arctic Anthropology team hosts the conference of the Finnish Anthropological Society, to be held from 21-23 March 2023 in Rovaniemi. Many still imagine the Arctic as a place with few or no people. In anthropology, the Arctic is a marginal field. We aim to change this, and turn this conference …
On October 3rd our colleagues from the University from the "Sustainable Naturecultures" research group at the Faculty of Social Sciences host an interesting film screening including discussion with the film makers. This could be of interest for all of us who deal with human-animal relations. The film "In the Name of the Wild" explores "wildness" …
In the European Arctic Midsummer nowadays marks mostly the start of the summer holidays. But at the roots of this big holiday, celebrated on or close to the longest day of the year, are pre-christian traditions. Asking from the spirits for a good harvest and for protection from evil forces were at the centre of …
Continue reading Arctic Midsummer – party time with pagan roots
Many herders, especailly in the Sub-Arctic, are threatened by the increased number of wolves, eating entire reindeer herds. In Australia they go the opposite way now: they try to revive a species of wolf that went extinct in the early 20th century, the last one from Tasmania in 1936. It's a genetics lab experiment that …
Indigenous knowledge, or better indigenous ways of knowing, have been key to anthropological debates on human-environment relations in the Arctic, even more so since climate change has increased the interest in this field of ours so much. Everyone is welcome if you like, to a discussion about a recent article in Current Anthropology on indigenous …
Continue reading Decolonising indigenous knowledge? Reading circle 12 May 2022 noon Finnish time
collectivism and individualism in the coastal fishing after 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami This was once Arahama - the vibrant fishing suburb of Sendai, right by the coast. After the 2011 Tsunami the entire community was not re-built. Nature takes it back. Picture from Oct 3, 2013 (Florian Stammler) Our long term friend and collaborator …
Continue reading Disaster anthropology talk 17 May 10 a.m: The role of culture in crisis:
Our friend Eduard Khudi and his wife Valentina sent these photos today, of the first reindeer calf of the year, born the 27th April in the Yamal tundra in the camp of Sergei Serotetto's son Lev. The big wave of calving has not started yet, but since then around 5-7 calves have appeared in this …
Arctic Anthropology 