Doing Ethnography Blind

Abstract

Abstract Anthropology's ‘mainstream’ research methods mainly rely on the visual sense. In contrast to sighted anthropologists, who mostly rely on their vision to acquire and process data, as a blind anthropologist I have used unconventional methodological sensory research techniques. I mostly rely on my senses of hearing and listening, using auditory means to make sense of people and our environment. Some of these auditory means are eavesdropping, understanding people's emotions through the tone of their voices and understanding the ‘acoustemology’ of spaces. I am highly attuned to the tones of people's voices and to the ambience of the places I am in. During my fieldwork, I was able to capitalise on these senses and abilities as research techniques, but also consider their ethical implications.