"Thick description" is a term coined by the anthropologist Clifford Geertz in his 1973 work, "The Interpretation of Cultures." It refers to detailed, in-depth descriptions of social behaviors and their contextual significance, allowing readers to understand them in a meaningful way. Thick description goes beyond simple factual details and interprets the layers of cultural meaning embedded within social actions.
Here are some examples of thick description in ethnography:
- Balinese Cockfight:In "The Interpretation of Cultures," Geertz provides a detailed account of the Balinese cockfight, exploring its cultural, symbolic, and emotional significance for the Balinese people. He delves into the multiple layers of meaning, including social hierarchies and masculinity, and how the cockfight serves as a narrative on Balinese society.
- Mazeway Resynthesis:Anthony F.C. Wallace's study of the Ghost Dance among the Native American Lakota Sioux offers a thick description of the cultural and historical context that led to the emergence of the Ghost Dance as a revitalization movement. Wallace describes the intricate web of beliefs, practices, and historical events that shaped the movement.
- Nuer Time:In his ethnography of the Nuer people in Sudan, E.E. Evans-Pritchard describes the Nuer conception of time. Rather than a linear or cyclical understanding, the Nuer base their concept of time on the lifecycle of their cattle. This thick description helps readers understand a worldview that may differ significantly from their own.
- Sitting in the Moroccan Marketplace:In "In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio," Philippe Bourgois provides a thick description of the lives of Puerto Rican crack dealers in East Harlem. He delves into the socio-economic conditions, interpersonal relationships, and cultural context that shape their lives, offering readers a holistic understanding of their world.
- The Kabyle House:Pierre Bourdieu, in his work on the Kabyle people of Algeria, provides a thick description of the spatial and architectural layout of the Kabyle house. He interprets how different spaces within the house are imbued with cultural meanings related to gender, privacy, and social hierarchies.
- The Dobe Ju/'hoansi:Richard Lee's work on the Dobe Ju/'hoansi (or !Kung) San people of the Kalahari Desert offers thick descriptions of their hunting and gathering practices, social relations, and rituals. He provides insights into their worldview, values, and the intricate balance of their relationship with the environment.