Naslov
The role of volunteers in pilgrimage studies: Autobiographic reflections on belief and the performanceof multiple roles

Autori
Katić, Mario ; Eade, John

Izvornik
HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory (2575-1433) 12 (2022), 2; 580-593

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
volunteers, religious pilgrimage, positionality, autobiographic approach, faith

Sažetak
Given the predominantly secular approach towards religion by anthropologists and sociologists, we contend that a discussion ofthe researcher’s positionality with regard to faith and belief, as well as the autoethnographic approach in pilgrimage studies, ismethodologically important. Drawing on years of volunteering at two pilgrimage sites, we explore what kind of methodologicalimpact our role as volunteers and our private lives have had on both research at and interpretations of the pilgrimage sites. For oneof us working as a volunteer was a personal choice motivated by faith, while for the other it was based on the pragmatics of doingresearch. In both cases gaining access involved the generation of social capital through the gifting of time and free labor within ahierarchical structure of power exchange. Our role as volunteers gave us an opportunity to explore the faith-based positionality andself-interest which informs pilgrimage volunteering and involves power exchange. Our article seeks to show how we address ourown religious beliefs but, at the same time, stay grounded in ethnographic observations and analysis.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Etnologija i antropologija

POVEZANOST RADA