In the best anthropological tradition, he helps us reset our everyday ideas by exploring history and other civilizations, then boomeranging back to render our own world strange, and more open to change. I was reminded of my mother's sparring by David Graeber's terrific new book,ĭebt. They may not always involve bangles, but elaborate "no, you shouldn't haves" are a part of everyone's life. It may sound exotic, but this is a commonplace. Its receipt was being acknowledged with gentle blows.
The ritualized clash – a pat-a-cake for adults – had been demanded by my aunt for giving us a too-generous gift. I went downstairs to find my mother and aunt gently fighting with their wrists. One morning, when I was a boy, I woke to the sound of shouting, then giggles and clinking bangles.
0 kommentar(er)
