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The Innocent Anthropologist Series

This series chronicles the adventures of an anthropologist venturing into remote cultures for study. Each book transports readers to a new setting, where the protagonist navigates cultural misunderstandings and humorous mishaps. With wit and insight, the narratives explore the clash between Western perspectives and traditional ways of life. It's an observational journey highlighting the challenges and unexpected discoveries of cross-cultural engagement.

A Plague of Caterpillars
The innocent anthropologist: notes from a mud hut

Recommended Reading Order

  1. The innocent anthropologist: notes from a mud hut

    • 192 pages
    • 7 hours of reading

    Nigel Barley was a ?new anthropologistOCO, one of the younger generation of academics whose learning and research had been acquired in institutes, research departments, from academic journals and university libraries. But after suffering years of gentle put-downs from leathery old field-workers, their ?teeth permanently gritted from years of dealing with nativesOCO, he was determined to gain his own experience. The two years he spent among the Dowayo people in the Cameroons (1978-80) produced a comic masterpiece of travel writing, The Innocent Anthropologist, which remains as honest, as funny and as compelling a read as when it was first penned ? and a devastating critique of academics attempting to impose their rules and their order on West African life."

    The innocent anthropologist: notes from a mud hut1
    4.2

  2. A Plague of Caterpillars

    A Return to the African Bush

    • 160 pages
    • 6 hours of reading

    The chance to witness a rare circumcision ceremony was an opportunity not to be missed Nigel Barley's return to Cameroon promised much. The Dowayos, a pagan mountain tribe, were due to perform their fearsome ancient ritual for the first time in six or seven years. Armed with Christmas pudding and Cheddar Cheese, Dr Barley embarked on his quest to witness this unusual anthropological phenomenon, only to find his way strewn with difficulties - not least an extraordinary plague of black, hairy caterpillars. The author of The Innocent Anthropologist has again produced a catalogue of hilarious anecdotes, as well as a skilful reflection on the problems of different cultures understanding one another.

    A Plague of Caterpillars2
    4.2