I’m deeply saddened to hear that the great anthropologist Georges Condominas, whose work has been an important influence in my own approach, has passed away. His amazing ethnographic style, on display in We Have Eaten the Forest, would have been sufficient to make him a master. But his thoughts on ritual, agriculture, religion, and ethnic identity (via the concept of emboîtement – ‘emboxment’) have influenced so many at this point, that his presence in the field is undoubtedly assured for a great while.
The Vietnamese Language Centre in Singapore has this excellent obituary.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Condominas.
