Keywords:
Anthropology, Postcolonial Era, MENA, Marginalization, Decolonizing
Abstract:
This panel will discuss the situation of anthropology in the Mena after the colonial period and to ascertain the most efficacious strategies for advancing the discipline's prominence within the higher education institutions of these countries in the forthcoming years. This situation, characterized by the disregard or marginalization of anthropology following independence, can be attributed to the discipline's association with colonial endeavors. So, the panel aims to discuss how to overcome the lack of the anthropological production in Arabic, as well as ways that can be adopted to overcome the difficulties of practice and teaching of anthropology; instead, anthropology is often taught within social science or sociology departments, where other disciplines take precedence. The panel also will discuss the question of the reconstruction of the history of anthropology in local research institutions, in addition to discussing how anthropology can benefit from the experience of The Arab anthropologists in the global north. Furthermore, to undertake the process of decolonizing anthropology in the Arab world, it is imperative to critically reassess certain fundamental concepts and theories. These include acknowledging the influence of the colonial past within anthropology departments and advocating for a comprehensive approach to the decolonization of teaching and learning (Karampampas 2023). Additionally, it is necessary to challenge the prevailing hegemonies in anthropology and break the silence surrounding the Arab world. This entails addressing the absence of activism and the perpetuation of silence that persist within prominent anthropology departments (Nader 2002). Engaging with local communities and placing their aims and objectives at the forefront of anthropological practice is of utmost importance (Abu-Lughod 1989). Moreover, it is essential to question the Western-centric scholarship and politics that shape the production of knowledge, while embracing an ethical framework based on reciprocity in anthropological research (Elie 2013).