[Anthropgrad] Wednesday seminar reminder

[Alan Rumsey]

Anthropology Seminar for August 8:

‘Skinship: On the Pragmatics of the Familial Kiss in Middle India’

By Chris Gregory, School of Archaeology and Anthropology, ANU

9.30-11.30 am,  Coombs Seminar Room A


Abstract:

Improper public displays of affection excite strong emotion in India as
the recent case of Richard Gere’s kiss on Shilpa Shetty at an AIDS
awareness rally in New Delhi demonstrates. Touchability is just as
important as untouchability in India but it is everywhere informed by
regional differences in codes of familial respect and love. In this
paper I present ethnographic data on the familial hand-to-chin kiss
(thori cumto) used in face-to-face relations between people in Bastar
District, Middle India and explore the implications of this case for a
comparative understanding of the role of woman as sister, wife and
grandmother more generally.


Inquires to Alan Rumsey
6125-2365