6. Anthropology of pleasure
Convenors:
Editha Platte, University of
Frankfurt
Shahnaz Nadjmabadi, University of
Frankfurt
Susanne Schröter, University of
Frankfurt
Pleasure is a universal human capacity. The term is related to a set of positive emotions (satisfaction, joy, happiness, lust, passion) which are caused by the sensual perception of the world. It can be demonstrated in public, carefully hidden, covered and disguised, or even denied. Some societies conceptualize pleasure as an ultimate meaning of life (pleasure principle), others mistrust its anarchistic potentials and restrict it to specific occasions. Although it is individually perceived pleasure is deeply rooted in culture, dependant on hegemonic moral discourses and social frames which allow some expressions and prohibit others. Since it is fluid, ambivalent and not easy to investigate pleasure had not been an explicit topic in anthropology in the past. With this volume we would like to fill the gap and compare different societies from the point of their concept of pleasure. We will focus on general cultural ideas and on particular aspects like gastronomic culture, sexual passions, spending spree, ecstatic religious experiences, desire of suffering and hedonism. Central to all contributions should be the focus which asks for the practice and meaning of pleasure within and across cultural borders. Additionally, we invite contributors to write about the pleasure of anthropology in the field and beyond. Selected workshop papers could be part of a planned publication on the same topic, published by Shahnaz Nadjmabadi, Editha Platte and Susanne Schröter in 2006. We are looking forward to pleasurable and engaged discussions.
The pleasure of tam tam. How to
“make noise” in Northern Nigeria
Editha Platte, University of Frankfurt
Ambiguous pleasures. Sexual pleasure and cultural
identity among young professional adults in Nairobi, Kenya
Rachel Spronk, Amsterdam
The Pleasure of killing. Sacrifices, performance and
emotions in Eastern Indonesia
Susanne Schröter, University of
Frankfurt
Asal kumpul – The Pleasure of
being together
Ilse Mirnig, Vienna
The voice of pleasure. Sound and
music at marriage ceremonies in the Iranian provinces of the Persian Gulf
Shahnaz Nadjmabadi, University of Frankfurt
Mourning saints as an occasion for
earthly pleasure. Rituals, crying and subversion in Iran.
Sabine Kalinock, Frankfurt