Integrating strangers in society: perspectives from elsewhere

This book provides a uniquely positioned contribution to the current debates on the integration of immigrants in Europe. Twelve social anthropologists -- "strangers by vocation" -- reflect upon how they were taken in by those they studied over the course of their long-term fieldwork. The societies concerned are Sinti (northern Italy), Inuit (Canadian Arctic), Kanak (New Caledonia), Māori (New Zealand), Lanten (Laos), Tobelo and Tanebar-Evav (Indonesia), Banyoro (Uganda), Gawigl and Siassi (Papua New Guinea) and a township in Odisha (India). A comparative analysis of these reflexive, ethnographic accounts reveals as yet underrepresented, non-European perspectives on the issue of integrating strangers, enabling the reader to identify and reflect upon the uniquely Western ideals and values that currently dominate such discourse.

1. Introduction -- 2. Becoming a Sinta: learning to see dreams and relating to the dead -- 3. "You are like geese". Working and rum dancing with the Inuit elders in Nunavut (Canada) -- 4. Being the otheri n Inuit society -- 5. An anthropologist in Kanaky. Modulations of belonging and otherness -- 6. A stranger-anthropologist as advocate of Māori development projects -- 7. On becoming a ritual master among the Lanten -- Yao Mun -- of Laos -- 8. To be made part part of Tobelo society (North Moluccas) -- 9. Welcome to Tanebar-Evav -- can one be incorporated in a village society? -- 10. Naming and Becoming a Munyoro in Western Uganda -- 11. Placing the newcomer -- staying with the Gawigl of Highland Papua New Guinea -- 12. Mythical beings from the swamp among the Siassi, Papua New Guinea -- 13. Strangers on an industrial frontier in Eastern India.