tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808406058173173703.post5775473582949623584..comments2023-06-28T05:54:47.372-04:00Comments on Music 000001: 182. An Overwhelming QuestionDocGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17359004200002936544noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808406058173173703.post-69489340782939429142009-11-30T16:56:45.397-05:002009-11-30T16:56:45.397-05:00I'm really pleased to see that Michelle Kisliu...I'm really pleased to see that Michelle Kisliuk has posted here --and taken the opportunity to clarify her position, which I was hoping she would do. It's not always easy to articulate someone else's thoughts accurately, especially when one perceives a certain degree of ambiguity therein. <br /><br />In my defense I'll add that much in your book does appear to describe the BaAka as essentially "egalitarian," Michelle, though admittedly you do qualify this from time to time, either by placing the term in quotes, or adding the word "relative." And I completely agree, especially when it comes to the treatment of women, who do seem only relatively equal. <br /><br />What interests me most about your book in this regard is your apparent endorsement of so much that Turnbull has to say about the Mbuti, despite your stated intention to "demystify" his overly "Romantic" view. And I'm wondering whether I've misunderstood your take on him or whether you've changed your mind, at least in certain respects.<br /><br />Your own descriptions of BaAka life seem very often quite similar to his descriptions of Mbuti life -- in fact in some ways you seem even more approving, since Turnbull reveals many unsavory aspects of Mbuti life of a sort that I don't find in your book.<br /><br />As far as Jayarwadena is concerned, I state that this position is "at least tentatively endorsed by" you, which I do think is a fair assessment of your presentation of this view, but perhaps I was being unfair.<br /><br />"To the contrary, the author's selective use of my material in the blog reveals an agenda that, while giving the impression of balanced and thorough discussion, is clearly invested in furthering an idea of utopian origins."<br /><br />If you read on in the blog, you'll see that this is not really true. If I have an agenda it involves deconstructing both the "idealist" view associated (unfairly imo) with Turnbull AND the revisionist position, which I find both dogmatic and narrowly academic. <br /><br />What strikes me above all is the high degree of ambivalence to be found in just about all the field reports concerning life among both Pygmies and Bushmen, where aspects of their culture are idealized (even in your own book, Michelle) yet at the same time many examples of disturbing behavior are revealed that would appear to contradict the ideal view. I hope you'll take some time to read on, especially in posts 208 (http://music000001.blogspot.com/2009/09/208-deconstructing-postmodern-condition.html) and beyond, where I point to the many contradictions I've found in the literature generally.DocGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17359004200002936544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808406058173173703.post-30967377199118090092009-11-30T10:59:32.791-05:002009-11-30T10:59:32.791-05:00I've just come across this blog/post. I can&#...I've just come across this blog/post. I can't see a signature or author, but assume this is by Victor Grauer. An interesting and insightful commentary, but I must point out that the claim that my discussion of BaAka egalitarianism simply accepts the "egalitarian" label and does not argue or discuss the issue is patently incorrect. Both in the book, Seize the Dance! and in the related chapter in Music and Gender, I argue throughout that, first, the issue is *relative^ egalitarianism, and, perhaps more importantly, I emphasize that based on my research, egalitarianism can not be applied as a static label but an ongoing process -- that much in BaAka life could not be labeled as such, but that overall, as exemplified in performance, there is an egalitarian social aesthetic that must be regularly maintained if it is to prevail at any given moment.<br />I pose the Jayarwadena perspective as a possible explanation, but end that discussion by throwing into question if it applies to BaAka, especially to BaAka life before their close interaction with Bagandou people... To the contrary, the author's selective use of my material in the blog reveals an agenda that, while giving the impression of balanced and thorough discussion, is clearly invested in furthering an idea of utopian origins.<br />But I do appreciate the hard work, respectful use of material, and the apparent attempt to be thorough.<br />Michelle Kisliuk Nov 2009Michelle Kisliukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12975782992661822161noreply@blogger.com