Portraits of "The Whiteman" - Linguistic play and cultural symbols among the Western Apache [Paperback]

Keith H. Basso (Author), Dell Hymes (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 1979 | ISBN-10: 0521295939 | ISBN-13: 978-0521295932

'The Whiteman' is one of the most powerful and pervasive symbols in contemporary American Indian cultures. Portraits of 'the Whiteman': linguistic play and cultural symbols among the Western Apache investigates a complex form of joking in which Apaches stage carefully crafted imitations of Anglo-Americans and, by means of these characterizations, give audible voice and visible substance to their conceptions of this most pressing of social 'problems'. Keith Basso's essay, based on linguistic and ethnographic materials collected in Cibecue, a Western Apache community, provides interpretations of selected joking encounters to demonstrate how Apaches go about making sense of the behaviour of Anglo-Americans. This study draws on theory in symbolic anthropology, sociolinguistics, and the dramaturgical model of human communication developed by Erving Goffman. Although the assumptions and premises that shape these areas of inquiry are held by some to be quite disparate, this analysis shows them to be fully compatible and mutually complementary.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Portraits of 'the Whiteman' ... is an exceptional piece of work ... What it presents is something that is very different for an ethnographer to obtain; indeed, the material presented is unprecedented. The essay is well written, and it packs a wallop. It goes to the very heart of the difficulties in Anglo-American and Native American relations. It should be required reading for every Anglo-American whose work involves him with Native Americans. It will also be exceedingly useful as collateral reading in introductory courses in cultural anthropology.' Ward H. Goodenough

'Ethnographers are not the only ones who do ethnography and Portraits of 'the Whitemen' presents the most subtle evidence that this is so far for North American Indians. It is absolutely at the cutting edge of developments in mutual understanding, to say nothing of the fact that it is superb anthropology.' Alfonso Ortiz

Book Description

Drawing on current theory in symbolic anthropology and sociolinguistics, this interpretive essay investigates a complex form of joking based on material collected in a Western Apache community wherein Apaches stage carefully crafted imitations of Anglo-Americans.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 31, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521295939
• ISBN-13: 978-0521295932
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tool for understanding, June 8, 2000

By 

Andrew Girlz (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Portraits of "The Whiteman" - Linguistic play and cultural symbols among the Western Apache (Paperback)

"Portraits" allows for an insider's view of a social practice virtually unknown outside of anthropological cricles. Concise, and written with an economy of language, the author manages to relate the topic without sliding into the boredom of dry essay. Humor is hard to study, and harder to write about, without killing the joke. Basso actually made me laugh out loud.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars humor and power, April 12, 2010

By 

Robert S. Newman "Bob Newman" (Marblehead, Massachusetts USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Portraits of "The Whiteman" - Linguistic play and cultural symbols among the Western Apache (Paperback)

Unless you have a special interest in linguistics or Goffman's dramaturgic model of human communication, you may feel the idea of this book too specialized to engage your interest. If you aren't interested in anthropology, you probably won't be reading this review anyway. My suggestion to readers is---start from Chapter Two, read the rest, enjoy the author's cartoons, and don't forget the Appendix either. Then go back and read Chapter One. The book will make a lot more sense and you will know what the author is talking about.

The Apaches find the behavior of Anglo-Americans bizarre and often insulting. The "portraits" referred to in the title concern little dramatic skits put on spontaneously by one person to a) pull someone's leg and b) express commonly-held feelings about whites. Such skits or "portraits" can create animosity if the butt of the skit is not close to the performer. If close, then the proximity is expressed through the butt's toleration of the fun being poked at him (i.e. "he can say what he wants, but we're still friends"). Though Basso strangely does not touch on the subject, perhaps out of consideration for his hosts and friends among the Apaches, there is definitely a colonial relationship here. The oppressor/colonizer can speak or behave as he likes while the oppressed/colonized are powerless. Unable to push back when pushed, the Apaches (those who are in the subordinate position) resort, like many colonized peoples, to humor and mockery to even the score. Subaltern studies anyone ?

This is all well and good, but to me the value of this book lies elsewhere. I would say it provides an extremely accurate description of cultural contrasts. Due to the presentation of the "portraits" and to Basso's writing, you get a clear explanation of Apache ways or values in personal behavior and how they see whites due to that. A question arises as to whether the Apaches need to be culturally sensitive too, or only the whites, due to past history. No matter, the Apaches at least have to be aware of the differences while the whites can ignore them. The book can be used in a first year Anthropology course or for any course or lecture on cultural relativity, developing cultural sensitivity, how to study cultural contrasts, culture clash, etc. An excellent book for such a purpose.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source for qualitative research methods, June 18, 2002

By 

C. Braithwaite (Lincoln, NE United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Portraits of "The Whiteman" - Linguistic play and cultural symbols among the Western Apache (Paperback)

Basso is one of the premier ethnographers in the U.S. His studies of the Western Apache are excellent models for how to do good ethnography. More importantly, Native American students in my classes find this book to be a faithful depiction of communication among many Native peoples.