Anthropology in Morocco since the 1960s: A Personal Odyssey

Morocco has been the site of major transformations in the practice and understanding of social anthropology from the mid-1960s to the present. The author, who first arrived in Morocco in November 1968 by way of Baghdad, has remained involved with Morocco and Moroccan academic life from that arrival to the present. The understanding of Morocco, by Moroccans and others, has in some respects followed trends elsewhere, but also shows significant differences. An earlier generation of British social anthropology. and French social thought. focused on so-called "elementary" societies. This trend seemingly encouraged the marginalization of Morocco as a primary locus for anthropological thought. In practice, Morocco propelled anthropologists to think beyond received earlier wisdom and to practice an anthropology open to complementary disciplines. In addition, the feisty nature of Moroccan public life encouraged anthropologists. both Moroccan and others. to communicate regularly with wide audiences in Morocco itself, as well as elsewhere. This essay traces the trajectory of the discipline in Morocco over the last half century.