Services on Demand
Journal
Article
Indicators
- Cited by SciELO
Related links
- Similars in SciELO
Share
Intersecciones en antropología
On-line version ISSN 1850-373X
Abstract
SILLA, Rolando. IDENTITY, TRADE, AND ADVENTURE IN THE ALTO NEUQUÉN. Intersecciones antropol. [online]. 2009, vol.10, n.2, pp.264-278. ISSN 1850-373X.
This article examines how Chileans living in the Western Andes are thought of by the crianceros (transhumanance shepherds) who live in the Alto Neuquén, (Argentinean Patagonian). It is observed that the principle of indiscernible operates in the classificatory and self-classificatory systems of these groups: the ascriptive categories cannot be discerned or distinguished from one another and multiply ad infinitum. A superposition and continuity of identities is manifested rather than an opposition between Argentineans, Chileans, Mapuche, and so on. These forms appear when ascriptive categories are analyzed in action rather than in models. It is shown that such ambiguity and superposition of identities is also made manifest in ambiguous and superposed moral judgments of Chilean shepherds by Argentinean shepherds, especially in relation to trade in livestock, horse robbery and smuggling.
Keywords : Identity; Exchange; Smuggling; Neuquén.