Anthropology, Nationalism and Colonialism - by Patrícia Ferraz de Matos (Paperback)

About the Book

Contributing to the history of anthropology, this book looks at the Porto School of Anthropology and analyses the life and work of its main mentor - Mendes Correia (1888-1960). Focused on Portugal, the analysis is also comparative with other international contexts.

Book Synopsis

A major contribution to the history of European anthropology, this book highlights the Porto School of Anthropology and analyses the work of its main mentor, Mendes Correia (1888-1960). It goes beyond a Portuguese focus to present a wider comparative analysis in which the colonial empire, knowledge of origins, ethnic identity and cultural practices all receive special attention. The analysis takes into account the fact that nationalism, as associated with an ethno-racial paradigm, decisively influenced discourse and scientific and political practices.

Review Quotes

"The present volume is an important contribution to the history of anthropology, written by one of the most important Portuguese anthropologists in recent years...Ferraz de Matos's book...emphasises a specific (colonial) context - not something that many scholars feel comfortable with doing...Iit will be appreciated both by anthropologists and readers interested in the history of the human sciences." - AJEC

"A well-written and stimulating study about one of the central figures in the history of Portuguese anthropology...Certainly, this book can be considered one of the most important publications in history of anthropology of the last few years and will become one of the main references for the history of Portuguese anthropology." - Anthropos

"Matos delivers this intellectual biography as a historical tour de force that opens numerous gates for further decisive new research. In this sense, the monograph is indeed a landmark study and challenging but important reading for historians and students in history and anthropology, especially focusing on the history of science, the transformation of Portuguese urban society, and late colonialism and reform attempts." - H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences

"The work highlights the relevance of the 'decolonial turn' to understand the stereotypes and ways in which the Portuguese Colonial Empire reflected the ideas propagated by its anthropologists. ... An indispensable reading for those seeking to understand the connection between anthropology, nationalism and colonialism in 20th century Europe." - História, Ciências, Saúde - Manguinhos

About the Author

Patrícia Ferraz de Matos is a research fellow at the Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon (UL). She is associate editor of AJEC (2020-2024) and convener of the Europeanist Network of EASA (2020-2024). She is the author of The Colours of the Empire (Berghahn Books, 2013).