The Arcana of Inquiry: Navigating Ethnography through Tarot as a Playful, Disruptive, and Subversive Practice

The Human Show: Innovation through Social Science

The Ethnographic Tarot Project intertwines the magic and mystery of tarot with the depth of anthropological inquiry. This initiative seeks to develop a distinctive tarot deck infused with ethnographic and anthropological themes, serving not only as a medium for reflection and divination but also as an innovative teaching tool aimed at enlightening students about the intricacies of ethnographic research. The aim is to collaboratively design a tarot deck that transcends traditional usage, becoming an educational resource that prompts students to explore and understand ethnographic research methodologies and anthropological insights. Each card will be thoughtfully re-imagined to incorporate significant anthropological themes, inviting contemplation on diversity, interconnectedness, frictions, and the politics and ethics of ethnographic practice. The Ethnographic Tarot Project is led by Priyanka Borpujari, Dr Fiona Murphy, and Dr Ana Ivasiuc.

We are pleased to welcome the team behind The Ethnographic Tarot Project: The Arcana of Inquiry who will discuss the project's intentions, its origins, and its future direction. They will explore how tarot complements the ethnographic practice and its potential to serve as a versatile educational resource for research, supervision, and writing. More broadly, they examine how this empowering practice can shift perspectives, unlock creative potential, and deepen reflection for practitioners. Finally, they will share their thoughts on what is needed to foster more radical imagination within the neoliberal academic space. Listen to the episode to hear more about it.

We have set one of the project’s tarot cards as a visual for this podcast episode. The Ethnographic Tower card within the tarot deck serves as a powerful metaphor for the tumultuous yet transformative process inherent in anthropological work. This card encapsulates the themes of upheaval, deconstruction, and the necessity for renewal, making it an exceptional teaching tool for understanding the dynamics of ethnographic inquiry.

Copyright (for the artwork): Priyanka Borpujari.

Links: https://www.scribd.com/document/760415134/Ethnographic-Tarot-Project (contribution deadline extended to September 20th 2024)