EUROPEAN ANTHROPOLOGY
The history of anthropology of Europe is very
important and has been a very debatable topic in the study of
anthropology but has resulted in significant strides in the
discipline because of all the efforts taken by anthropologists from
different countries in Europe. Several studies comment on
anthropology of Europe and anthropology in general (Artetxaga,
1997; Belmonte, 2005; Buruma, 2007; Collier, 2008; Le Wita and
Underwood, 1994).
The different textbooks on the history of
anthropology as well as research by numerous workers could not
reach a consensus as to the time point as to when exactly the
concept of Europe began. (Harbsmeier, 1995). Almost all textbooks
dwell on the fact that social and cultural anthropology originated
in the second half of the nineteenth century and this lead to
numerous developments in science, democracy and politics. Towards
the end of the nineteenth century the important factor of
evolutionism in anthropology began to break down. Although the
tenets of evolutionism in general was rarely rejected, the focus of
research changed when anthropological practice was faced with so
many problems which required their solving before further progress
was made. The enlightenment seen in the eighteenth century resulted
in numerous developments (Harris, 1968). The most pertinent
question that has intrigued many a historian studying social and
cultural anthropology is the time when the scientific discipline
took shape? Many writers come to a consensus about the origin or
history of the social anthropologic discipline leading to setting
the foundation of the true modern anthropology as being very
difficult to trace and possibly started during the seventeenth or
the eighteenth century (Evans-Pritchard 1951; Hymes, 1969; Bauman,
1973; Kuper, 1983 and Stocking, 1987). The reason for this question
is because there is no definite data on the exact starting point
which could suggest that development started from that time. A
number of alternatives have been suggested but none of them are
complete and give a comprehensive evaluation of the exact beginning
of the science. This is important because this discipline is needed
to explain the anthropology of Europe. The starting point however
is highly variable and hence dependent on a number of factors and
would need sound anthropology to come to a conclusion.
Although the idea of unified Europe led to the
development of significant uniqueness, it was not a merely physical
or an abstract concept. It was more of a realization and belief.
The idea of Europe and the steps that occurred to improve and
develop it changed during the course of development of world and
European history. In the endeavor for perfection, there have been
numerous wars within Europe to perfect the unified undercurrent and
also for promoting peace within the continent. The struggle to
create a unique identity also involved women who chose to
strengthen the feminist side against the chauvinistic nature of the
government and culture (Aretxaga, 1997). The most important problem
faced by Europe was to establish an identity in spite of the
struggles and rife existing within its several nationalities
(Bellier and Wilson, 2000). Some of the most important events such
as dissolution of the Soviet Union, Germany unification and the
downfall of communism are significant in European history but in
spite of that Europe has survived and maintained a definite
identity of its own. At the same time as changes were occurring
within Europe, other cultures and religions also influenced Europe,
worthy of mention is the killing of Theo Van Gogh, a Dutch
filmmaker by an Islamic extremist which created a stir along the
whole of Europe (Buruma, 2007), thus moulding the European outlook
to religion, culture and the rest of the world in general.
All these factors led to a concept called
"Europeanism" which referred to a unique political trend and a well
understood versatile heterogeneous practicality all of which was
reinforced by the continuous war waged between conservative,
liberalist, revolutionary and democratic ideas. "Europeanism" also
refers to the unified Europe on the basis of similarities in the
people's thinking, governmental policies, interaction intra and
inter state and with other nationalities and as a whole a complete
identity far and totally different from the rest of the world. The
attempt to unification resulted in a common group structure,
systematic political outlook by adoption of democratic measures and
increased representation and freedom of the individual. The changes
were the result of people's experimentation within their families
over issues such as freedom of expression, and to act according to
ones beliefs and inclinations (Collier, 2008). The intricacies and
the varied nature of the groups led to the development of a unique
behavioural pattern and this favored the unification (Le Wita and
Underwood, 1994). The creation of a unique identity was further
strengthened by powerful leaders who emerged to unify the different
groups so formed (Belmonte, 2005). This Europeanism led to unified
fervour that ran from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains. A
set of common ideas between people led to the development of a
common group which led to a unified society and culture which again
led to the formation of a related nationalities and finally Europe.
The similarities in ideas culminated in the formation of the
European Union. All these clashes of ideas from the seventeenth to
the twentieth centuries resulted in the development of an
equilibrium which resulted in a development of a feature and
phenomenon that is characteristic and unique of the Europe that we
know now. Thus with every step in the advancement of civilization
of man, there has been an effort for unification in Europe with the
sole aim for establishing a common identity but which is becoming
more and more difficult as time passes due to security measures,
changing cultures and political boundaries. Since it is becoming
more and more difficult to remain unified with advancements it is
important that more efforts need to be put casting aside cultural,
political and geographical barriers otherwise the European identity
will not be unique anymore.
