Chapter Skansen
The valley in question turned out to be more than an hour's drive to the east. The party was a wedding reception. It was immediately clear to the Professor that they had arrived far too late to be able to find any sober informants, who might have been able to answer questions about marital customs, financial transfers and the like. 'It's often like that in fieldwork,' he said to the group. 'Just try to soak up the atmosphere, and perhaps we'll be able to carry out some interviews tomorrow...
Chapter Time and Space Coordinates DD
Please go to the Church of St. Mary Mariacki on the corner of the main Market Square - you really can't miss it. Listen to the bugle that announces the hour its call, known for centuries as the Hejnal Mariacki, is curiously truncated. Many people in Cracow today will explain this as a tradition which dates back to 1241, when a bugler was allegedly killed by an arrow from Tatar invaders as he sounded his alarm. That is also what you will find in most of the tourist guides. It is through customs...
Chapter Magic Science and Religion DD
After leaving you at Auschwitz on Saturday evening, Professor Dylag and I drove to visit our relatives in the countryside. On Sunday morning we went along with them to mass in the village church. In fact my relatives do not attend mass every Sunday, and nor do the Professor and I here in Cracow. But it is somehow compulsory whenever we visit the village. I think people might comment if we did not attend, and this could reflect badly on my relatives. Anyway, yesterday people did not rush away...
Chapter Border
It was five minutes to midnight when Dr. Dylagowa pulled up at the border crossing. Even she, the driver, had not been exempted entirely from the hospitality rituals. She had taken several wrong turns and was not feeling well. The Professor and most of the students were asleep in the minibus. Trying hard to overcome her nerves, she strode into the main building. The daytime crowds had dwindled. Rubbish was scattered everywhere and the smells were unpleasant. She looked for the official who had...
Chapter History of Anthropology
Let me introduce myself I am Professor Dylag, or Professor Dr. sci. anth. Edward Tadeusz Dylag, if you want to use my full title, Member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, Honorary Member of countless more august bodies. It is my great honour to continue the course that my dear wife opened with you yesterday. I would have so liked to be here myself for the opening day, but we have so many committees at our University, and, being a very senior...