The Use of Ethnographic Film in Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in Africa

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25770315
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cultural anthropology
• Research Institution: National Museum of Ethnology
• Principal Investigator: Kawase Itsushi 国立民族学博物館, 文化資源研究センター, 助教 (30633854)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 映像人類学 / アフリカ研究 / 民族誌映画 / 無形文化 / 音楽 / 芸能

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project has explored the changing relations between researchers and research informants as well as the relations with the wider society that emerged from the production and presentation of ethnographic films on intangible cultures in Africa. This project used my ethnographic films, which focused on occupational musicians called Azmari and Lalibalocc of Ethiopia.
The project has investigated the kinds of negotiation and communication between an anthropologist/filmmaker and viewers, including protagonists of the films, that are triggered by films in the ever-changing ongoing anthropological practice, in order to understand the research subjects and to safeguard intangible cultures. My own investigation based on this research project has been published in several academic journals and publications.

Free Research Field

映像人類学、アフリカ研究、民族誌映画研究