Unveiling a Material Agent: An Anthropological study on how backpacks shape backpackers’ journeys and identities
(2023) SANK03 20231Social Anthropology
- Abstract
- This paper aims to contribute to wider discussions within the discipline of anthropology regarding the social and material significance of backpackers’ backpacks. Mainly, this paper examines how backpacks help construct backpacking identity and shape backpackers’ journeys and experiences. To gain insight into these inquiries this paper adopts a qualitative research approach, specifically eight semi-structured interviews with people that defined themselves as backpackers. The gathered empirical data is analysed by applying and building upon the theoretical frameworks of Latour’s Actor-network theory and Daniel Miller’s concept of how material objects help construct identity. The main findings demonstrate that backpackers’ performative... (More)
- This paper aims to contribute to wider discussions within the discipline of anthropology regarding the social and material significance of backpackers’ backpacks. Mainly, this paper examines how backpacks help construct backpacking identity and shape backpackers’ journeys and experiences. To gain insight into these inquiries this paper adopts a qualitative research approach, specifically eight semi-structured interviews with people that defined themselves as backpackers. The gathered empirical data is analysed by applying and building upon the theoretical frameworks of Latour’s Actor-network theory and Daniel Miller’s concept of how material objects help construct identity. The main findings demonstrate that backpackers’ performative practice of interacting with their backpacks helps produce and create a symbolic boundary for backpacking identity. Moreover, this paper’s findings also illustrate how the agentic properties of backpacks help shape backpackers’ travel experiences by determining how they can travel, initiate and influence social interactions and develop a sense of stability and comfort. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9135058
- author
- Ramkali, Izaak LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SANK03 20231
- year
- 2023
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- Anthropology, Backpacking, Backpacks, Identity Formation, Material Agency
- language
- English
- id
- 9135058
- date added to LUP
- 2023-08-24 15:39:59
- date last changed
- 2023-08-24 15:39:59
@misc{9135058, abstract = {{This paper aims to contribute to wider discussions within the discipline of anthropology regarding the social and material significance of backpackers’ backpacks. Mainly, this paper examines how backpacks help construct backpacking identity and shape backpackers’ journeys and experiences. To gain insight into these inquiries this paper adopts a qualitative research approach, specifically eight semi-structured interviews with people that defined themselves as backpackers. The gathered empirical data is analysed by applying and building upon the theoretical frameworks of Latour’s Actor-network theory and Daniel Miller’s concept of how material objects help construct identity. The main findings demonstrate that backpackers’ performative practice of interacting with their backpacks helps produce and create a symbolic boundary for backpacking identity. Moreover, this paper’s findings also illustrate how the agentic properties of backpacks help shape backpackers’ travel experiences by determining how they can travel, initiate and influence social interactions and develop a sense of stability and comfort.}}, author = {{Ramkali, Izaak}}, language = {{eng}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, title = {{Unveiling a Material Agent: An Anthropological study on how backpacks shape backpackers’ journeys and identities}}, year = {{2023}}, }