0405 271 757 montybadami@gmail.com

Anthropologist

My professional academic journey began when I started my PhD in 2006. I had the opportunity to conduct some sustained ethnographic research amongst the Paniya of Wayanad, a marginalised indigenous ethnic group in the South Indian state of Kerala, who were slaves until the latter part of the 20th century.

By going back and forth to India over a period of three years, I learned a lot about the importance of spirit possession, music/song, funeral rites and black magic healing rituals for the Paniya.

I am particularly interested in how the Paniya engage with policies of public health, development practice, environmental/resource management, native title, globalisation and governance. In essence, I explore the ways in which the Paniya attempt to maintain a sense of place, identity and well-being in a world where every body else keeps trying to tell them how to live and who to be.

I have taught at the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University, Western Sydney University, the University of Wollongong, and the University of Notre Dame. The subjects I have taught include:

  • Human Evolution and Diversity
  • Introduction to Anthropology: Identity and Difference
  • Educational Psychology
  • Culture, Myth and Symbolism: Affect and Meaning
  • Culture Health and Sexuality in Developing Countries
  • Doing Ethnography
  • Methodology in Local and Community Studies
  • Research Methods in Anthropology     
  • The Anthropology of Politics and Power
  • The Anthropology of Religion
  • Teaching for Change
  • Social Justice in a World of Inequality
  • Becoming a Sociologist: Interdisciplinary Competencies
  • Research Methods in Sociology and Cultural Studies
  • Sociology of Teaching
  • Healing and Culture
  • Illness and Healing
  • India: Power and Performance
Dr Sumant (Monty) Badami
Freelance Anthropologist
Mobile: 0405271757
Website:  montybadami.com

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