HCI VISTAS, VOLUME-II, 2006-2007
Cultural Ethnography: A Brief Report
Dr. Dinesh S. Katre
Article INS-20./April 2007
There is a lot of curiosity about ethnography in design among designers, especially the academicians. Context study or field study are the other similar activities discussed in the domain of usability. I happened to have carried out an ethnographic assignment almost a decade ago. I thought, sharing that experience (good or bad) will be useful to many.
Pre-authored multimedia templates
It was the summer of 1998. I was too excited to design pre-authored and customizable templates (interactive frameworks) for presentation of multimedia content, it was my new project. The basic idea was to discover patterns in the social, cultural and corporate events (common information structure). Also, observe the process of content creation with focus on cultural informatics.
It was the summer of 1998. I was too excited to design pre-authored and customizable templates (interactive frameworks) for presentation of multimedia content, it was my new project. The basic idea was to discover patterns in the social, cultural and corporate events (common information structure). Also, observe the process of content creation with focus on cultural informatics.
The pilgrimage
As I was already working on Multimedia Rendering of Dnyaneshwari project, it was obvious for me to think of conducting an ethnographic study of Ashadhi Wari (A well known pilgrimage in Maharashtra state, India) as a case of cultural event. We felt that the pattern of this pilgrimage will be quite identical with other pilgrimages too e.g., Kumbh Mela. Myself along with a team of 6 persons (including two cameramen, assistants and a guide) traveled along with half million pilgrims for 20 days from Alandi to Pandharpur, for multimedia documentation. We used digital cameras for photography.
As I was already working on Multimedia Rendering of Dnyaneshwari project, it was obvious for me to think of conducting an ethnographic study of Ashadhi Wari (A well known pilgrimage in Maharashtra state, India) as a case of cultural event. We felt that the pattern of this pilgrimage will be quite identical with other pilgrimages too e.g., Kumbh Mela. Myself along with a team of 6 persons (including two cameramen, assistants and a guide) traveled along with half million pilgrims for 20 days from Alandi to Pandharpur, for multimedia documentation. We used digital cameras for photography.
The pilgrims (Warkari) of Ashadhi Wari walk the entire distance of 450 kilometers while carrying the palanquins of Saint Dnyaneshwar and Saint Tukaram in the scorching heat of summer. Most pilgrims are farmers coming from rural parts of Maharashtra. Different groups of pilgrims join this procession from various villages and towns on the way to Pandharpur. Eventually it becomes an ocean of people. We wanted to gather information on social, cultural, historical, religious and spiritual aspects (anthropology) of this pilgrimage. We shot around 500 still photographs and long length of video footage. It was quite adventurous of me to take up something as strange as this, not fitting in line with regular IT projects, not knowing its consequences on my health, as I had become very delicate sitting in the AC room. But it was an unforgettable experience.
Previous experience
Previously, I had participated in a similar study of Magh Mela at Shantiniketan, Bolpur, West Bengal. Rabindranath Tagor started the tradition of Magh Mela. This too was an interesting experience but it was very small compared to Ashadhi Wari. It was helpful in anticipating many things. Something very funny happened at that time. We were supposed to shoot the arrival of the Magh Mela procession. As instructed by the organizers, we had setup the video cameras at the entrance of the large playground of Shantiniketan. To our surprise, the procession with drummers and the troops of folk dancers entered from another gate, which was far away from our location. It was very embarrassing to have missed out something important.
Previously, I had participated in a similar study of Magh Mela at Shantiniketan, Bolpur, West Bengal. Rabindranath Tagor started the tradition of Magh Mela. This too was an interesting experience but it was very small compared to Ashadhi Wari. It was helpful in anticipating many things. Something very funny happened at that time. We were supposed to shoot the arrival of the Magh Mela procession. As instructed by the organizers, we had setup the video cameras at the entrance of the large playground of Shantiniketan. To our surprise, the procession with drummers and the troops of folk dancers entered from another gate, which was far away from our location. It was very embarrassing to have missed out something important.
Photo 1. Pilgrims preparing the lunch, Photo 2. Taking a nap under the shadow of an umbrella,
Photo 3. A gathering of pilgrims
Preparation
I had to seek formal permissions from transport officials and the organizers of this pilgrimage. We hired a Sumo van, which could comfortably accommodate my team along with tripods, cameras, and other accessories. We studied the map of Maharashtra state, the rout of pilgrimage, the intervening towns and villages on the way, the schedule of important cultural events. We prepared our action plan.
I had to seek formal permissions from transport officials and the organizers of this pilgrimage. We hired a Sumo van, which could comfortably accommodate my team along with tripods, cameras, and other accessories. We studied the map of Maharashtra state, the rout of pilgrimage, the intervening towns and villages on the way, the schedule of important cultural events. We prepared our action plan.
We used to reach the resting destination of pilgrims in advance everyday to locate the rooftops of tall buildings for better view, and then return to Pune after finishing the work. We had to explore alternate routs for traveling, as the pilgrimage itself was a major roadblock for us. We were traveling several hours for initial 8 days; thereafter we began to spend the nights along with pilgrims in the tents. I did not return home for almost 12 days. I lived like a Warkari. I ate, danced, sang Bhajans with them, slept in the tent; but kept myself detatched and persued the documentation. When I returned home I appeared like a zombie with bruises on my body, stained cloths, torn shoes, tanned face, uncombed hair and yet very happy.
Photo 4. The chart of ethnographic content
(Wise readers won't count me as part of the chart!)
(Wise readers won't count me as part of the chart!)
Documentation of research
Before starting our journey, I had interviewed a few experienced pilgrims. During the journey, I was constantly categorizing, organizing and structuring the observations as they came across. After returning home, the first thing that I did was to consolidate the documentation and structure the information using small pictures for reference. A detailed chart was prepared. The multimedia contents were indexed to indicate whether the required information is available in photo, audio or video formats.
Our documentation included information on some interesting things like-
The mobile clinics/hospitals for medical treatment of pilgrims during the journey
How the pilgrims manage to build hundreds of tents every evening (with electrification for light), take rest and wind up the tents before next morning
The countless number of skits and dramas for social awareness performed simultaneously by various groups of pilgrims
How large groups of pilgrims begin to run at Velapur out of eagerness to meet Vithal (a form of lord Krishna), it is a tradition to start running from Velapur (a village near Pandharpur)
How culture and faith inculcate self-discipline among pilgrims; how they organize the crowd of half million pilgrims effortlessly and without much chaos; decentralized group based (Dindi) management by group leader and Dindi managers
The sounds of various folk music instruments used during the pilgrimage
The dance forms, games, rangoli, floral decorations, banners, sweets, rituals, behavioral observations...
what all things the pilgrims carry with them; what is their daily schedule; how the drinking water is supplied; how they carry wired tubelight tied to the flagstick on their shoulders; how they carry diesel generator sets like palanquin on shoulders; how 24 bullocks are used to pull the palanquin on the steep slop of Dive Ghat; how the food is cooked and served to half million pilgrims everyday; how pilgrims offer body massage to each other when they get tired of walking; interviews of foreigners from Japan and America who walked this entire distance along with pilgrims, ...etc.
A multimedia CD title was developed using this information. It was known that the topic does not have commercial potential. We could not revive the CD for newer versions of Windows due to change of activities and lack of resources. What I cherish at the end is- the digital archive, the knowledge and the unforgettable experience!
Photo 5. Diesel generator being carried on shoulders, Photo 6. Formation of circle by the crowd (Ringan) for traditional games,
Photo 7. Myself and the crew members at Dive Ghat (Saswad)
Some memories
Let me share some memories of this event. Feeling a bit nostalgic. Many old people, tired of illness, participate in this pilgrimage with the hope to die on its way. I witnessed some deaths of such pilgrims. I saw the dead bodies getting wet in the first rain showers of monsoon (beginning of June).....the organizers making announcements on microphone, requesting the relatives to claim the dead body of their loved one....declaring the belongings.... and yet no crying.... but singing of Bhajans.... and dancing on the tune of folk music.... nobody halted.... it was touching. My cultivated sense of emotions was completely baffled about whether to feel sad or happy.
Let me share some memories of this event. Feeling a bit nostalgic. Many old people, tired of illness, participate in this pilgrimage with the hope to die on its way. I witnessed some deaths of such pilgrims. I saw the dead bodies getting wet in the first rain showers of monsoon (beginning of June).....the organizers making announcements on microphone, requesting the relatives to claim the dead body of their loved one....declaring the belongings.... and yet no crying.... but singing of Bhajans.... and dancing on the tune of folk music.... nobody halted.... it was touching. My cultivated sense of emotions was completely baffled about whether to feel sad or happy.
Once our Sumo Van was not getting started. It was parked on the rough hilly terrain, far off from the main road. The driver said we have no option but to push the van. All of us got exhausted but the van hadn't moved much. At that time, Bharat Maharaj (Sakhare Maharaj had entrusted him the responsibility to guide us) made a request to the pilgrims and a crowd of 50 pilgrims came running and pushed the heavy vehicle like the breeze would fly away a feather. That day, I truly understood the meaning of manpower. Unfortunately, Bharat Maharaj passed away in a road accident 2/3 years back. He was so helpful.
Photo 8. Speaker tied to the flagstick, Photo 9. Tubelight tied to the flagstick,
Photo 10. A typical pilgrim (Warkari)
The real world lives outside computer-lab
We get glued to computers. The fast changing technologies keep us busy honing new technical skills all the time. Many have succumbed to the superstition that latest technology produces good design. But this is only half true. It is very vital to get out of the air-conditioned computer labs and study the users. With digital cameras, documentation has become quick and cheap. I feel that design students should be encouraged to undertake such ethnographic study. An ethnographic experience will surely expand their vision beyond tools and technologies.
We get glued to computers. The fast changing technologies keep us busy honing new technical skills all the time. Many have succumbed to the superstition that latest technology produces good design. But this is only half true. It is very vital to get out of the air-conditioned computer labs and study the users. With digital cameras, documentation has become quick and cheap. I feel that design students should be encouraged to undertake such ethnographic study. An ethnographic experience will surely expand their vision beyond tools and technologies.
Ethnography has taught me one very important lesson-
Observe every human behavior as a new revelation.
Don't judge it as right or wrong.
Be alert, receptive and neutral. Always.
Be alert, receptive and neutral. Always.
It is more relevant when one is proactively seeking user inputs in design process. The Product Designers, HCI and Usability Professionals need to imbibe these qualities.
The other things that I learnt from this experience are-
Leave the comfort zone (the computer lab) to interact with people / users
A user in the usability lab is like a tiger in the cage, helpless!
A user in the usability lab is like a tiger in the cage, helpless!
Study him in his natural habitat!
Keep plugging the pieces of information together, as it comes
Content is everywhere
Content is everywhere
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Perspectives
I really enjoyed your ethnography article. I will be doing some contextual analysis/ethnography in Uganda for my dissertation. Your concluding lines will be ones I will live by as I spend a few months in this new environment.
Janea Triplett,
Doctoral student in Human Computer Interaction at Iowa State University, USA