Factions, Friends and Feasts Anthropological Perspectives on the Mediterranean [Hardcover]

Drawing on field research in Malta, Sicily and among Italian emigrants in Canada, this book explores the social influence of the Mediterranean climate and the legacy of ethnic and religious conflict from the past five decades. Case studies illustrate the complexity of daily life not only in the region but also in more remote academe, by analysing the effects of fierce family loyalty, emigration and the social consequences of factionalism, patronage and the friends-of-friends networks that are widespread in the region. Several chapters discuss the social and environmental impact of mass tourism, how locals cope, and the paradoxical increase in religious pageantry and public celebrations. The discussions echo changes in the region and the related development of the authors own interests and engagement with prevailing issues through his career.

List of Tables
List of Plates
Preface and Introduction

PART I: PATTERNS

Chapter 1.Seasonal Variations on Some Mediterranean Themes
Chapter 2.Unhealed Scars: Religious and Ethnic Diversity Around

PART II: COMMUNITIES

Chapter 3.Factions, Parties and Politics in a Maltese Village
Chapter 4.Poverty and Politics in a Sicilian Agro-Town
Chapter 5.The Italians of Montreal

PART III: QUESTIONS AND PUZZLES

Chapter 6.The Place of Non-Corporate Groups
Chapter 7.Towards a Sociology of Social Anthropology
Chapter 8.Beyond the Community
Chapter 9.Of Men and Marbles: Reconsidering Factionalism
Chapter 10.When the Saints go Marching Out

PART IV: RITUAL, INSIDERS AND OUTSIDERS

Chapter 11.Ritual? and Tourism: Culture by the Pound?
Chapter 12.Revitalizing European Rituals