Nomadic Scholar: A surreal illustration blending a scholar with a desert landscape.

The Nomad Anthropologist: How Travel and Cultural Shifts Shape Understanding

Lena Kashyap in Culture & Society August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how Ugo Fabietti's nomadic approach revolutionized anthropology, blending fieldwork with theoretical insights to challenge traditional views."

Ugo Fabietti, a notable figure in anthropology, presented a lecture six years ago that explored the concept of 'discovery' within anthropological research. This lecture, attended by many colleagues and students at Milano-Bicocca University, became the basis for his chapter in Serendipity in Anthropological Research. The Nomadic Turn. Fabietti reflected on his ethnographic work, which he described as a journey through three significant terrains.

These terrains included the Arabian Peninsula (1978-1985), where he studied the Shammar Bedouin nomads; the Iranian Coast of the Persian Gulf (1985), focusing on Iranian fishermen; and southwestern Pakistan (1986-1994), where he lived among sedentary Pakistani farmers. These experiences formed the core of his anthropological perspective.

Fabietti's work emphasizes the connection between the nomadism of the people he studied and his own nomadic approach to anthropology. He noted that his research among nomads gave him a unique story tied to his professional background, highlighting the intimate relationship between ethnographic research and the evolution of scientific thought.

The Essence of Nomadic Anthropology

Nomadic Scholar: A surreal illustration blending a scholar with a desert landscape.

Fabietti’s anthropological work is characterized by a close connection between researching nomadic communities and a flexible approach to scientific paradigms. This perspective emerged during a time when anthropology was establishing its place within Italian academia. He embraced the 'perpetual principle of dissatisfaction,' inspired by Foucault, which drove anthropological inquiry. This dissatisfaction, in Fabietti's view, was rooted in the discipline's multifaceted nature.

Fabietti embraced anthropology's multiparadigmatic quality, stating, 'By training, I am not firmly committed to any one approach over another. I waver, perhaps unconsciously, between different paradigms – as a consequence of the realization that not everything can be treated in the same way'.

Flexible Thinking: The nomad metaphor shaped Fabietti's understanding of anthropological theory and practice.
Fieldwork as Key: He believed that fieldwork was essential, acting as both a laboratory and an initiation for anthropologists.
Identity and Science: This approach defined the anthropologist's role and the scientific community's progress.

Fabietti viewed nomadic research as vital for anthropology, driving innovation in both its conceptual aims and practical methods. He noted that his 'nomadism' highlighted anthropology's strengths and limitations. The absence of fixed paradigms, the ability to move between disciplines, and exposure to different ethnographic settings imposed limits but also formed the discipline's core strengths.

Fabietti's Enduring Impact on Anthropology

Ugo Fabietti's exploration of the complex interplay between the relativizing experience of ethnography and the pursuit of rational explanation remains one of his most significant contributions. His work aimed to refine Lévi-Strauss' depiction of anthropology as uniquely blending intimate subjectivity with objective demonstration.

Fabietti engaged in sophisticated dialogues with literature and science, maintaining a quiet, ironic approach without strict adherence to any single paradigm. His anthropology represents both knowledge of and from the frontier, occupying an interstitial space that avoids fixedness.

Fabietti embraced the multiparadigmatic nature of anthropology not as a weakness but as a strength, viewing nomadism as the ultimate representation of the discipline's vitality, significance, and capacity for interdisciplinary dialogue. His legacy encourages anthropologists to remain flexible, open-minded, and engaged with the ever-changing world.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3197/np.2018.220101, Alternate LINK

Title: The Anthropologist As Nomad. On The Ethnographic Legacy Of Ugo Fabietti (1950-2017)

Subject: Demography

Journal: Nomadic Peoples

Publisher: White Horse Press

Authors: Roberto Malighetti, Mauro Van Aken

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What did Ugo Fabietti research in his work?

The concept of 'discovery' within anthropological research was explored by Ugo Fabietti, as discussed in his lecture and later in his chapter in *Serendipity in Anthropological Research. The Nomadic Turn*. This concept is central to understanding how anthropologists approach their work, questioning what is found and how it is interpreted. This idea is important because it reflects on the anthropologist's own biases and influences in shaping knowledge, which directly impacts the validity and interpretation of ethnographic findings.

What were the key locations Ugo Fabietti focused on in his research?

Ugo Fabietti's research focused on three terrains: the Arabian Peninsula (studying the Shammar Bedouin nomads), the Iranian Coast of the Persian Gulf (examining Iranian fishermen), and southwestern Pakistan (living among Pakistani farmers). The importance of these terrains lies in the diversity of cultures and societies he studied. Each location offered a unique perspective, contributing to Fabietti's broad understanding and challenging conventional anthropological assumptions. This helped him develop a 'nomadic approach' to his work, constantly adapting and evolving his perspectives.

What is meant by Ugo Fabietti's 'nomadic approach' to anthropology?

The 'nomadic approach' refers to Ugo Fabietti's methodology, which involved flexible scientific paradigms and fieldwork as a key component. This was inspired by Foucault's 'perpetual principle of dissatisfaction'. This nomadic stance enabled Fabietti to navigate different theoretical frameworks, crucial because it moved anthropology beyond rigid and dogmatic views. This helped to acknowledge the discipline's complex nature, which in turn facilitated innovative methods, conceptual aims, and a more comprehensive understanding of diverse cultural settings.

Why was fieldwork so important to Ugo Fabietti's anthropological work?

Fieldwork was essential for Ugo Fabietti, as he saw it as both a laboratory and an initiation for anthropologists. Fieldwork is where anthropologists directly engage with the cultures and peoples they study. The significance of fieldwork lies in its ability to connect the scientist with the community they are studying. This immersion enables richer, more nuanced insights and contributes to the development of a more holistic and comprehensive understanding.

What was the main goal of Ugo Fabietti's work regarding the approach to anthropology?

Ugo Fabietti's work aimed to refine Lévi-Strauss' depiction of anthropology by blending intimate subjectivity with objective demonstration. This aims to reconcile the anthropologist's personal experiences with the scientific rigor required in the field. The importance of this lies in acknowledging the influence of the researcher's perspective, which is key for improving how anthropological research is both conducted and presented, leading to a more profound and insightful comprehension of different cultures.