Abstract:

Sourcing from the symbolic and interpretive approach of social anthropology and fostered by the symbolic interactionism and dramaturgical approach of sociology, anthropology of performance presents today an innovative and genuine theoretical framework for the interpretation of diverse cultural representations in everyday life. This paper thus aims to put forward the theoretical background, fundamentals, main issues, methodology, and boundaries of anthropology of performance. The main objective of this study is to question the reasons and aspects of the appropriation of a formerly stage and performing arts term by the discipline of anthropology to evaluate the representations of culture. Using the literature review methodology, this study in the first place examines thoroughly the concepts of Turner, who in fact constituted the grounds of anthropology of performance, followed by Schechner’s performance theory that inserts theatricality to everyday life, and the dramaturgical approach of Goffman. Secondly, the concept of performativity was analyzed within the construction of social reality. The article finally gravitates towards a comparative analysis between this discipline and sociology of performance. This study concludes that the concept of performance reveals as an effective and comprehensive term for the interpretation of identity and culture patterns, which have become more fragile and ambiguous than before amidst globalization and new information technologies, which are continuously represented and displayed in an interactional way in everyday life throughout different social milieu.

Keywords: