NORINT0500 Norwegian Life and Society Norwegian Culture and Identity or Equality as Sameness? Jon Henrik Ziegler Remme j.h.remme@sai.uio.no

Social Anthropology: The comparative study of humans in societies Human interaction and relations Patterns of interaction – we act different in different settings  context Also focus on diversity, contingency, inconsistencies, conflicts etc. Cultural Relativism Trying to see phenomena as they appear from the natives point of view At the same time: the analytical distance, the outside gaze People tend to say one thing and do another For instance: In Norway we say we eat fish three times a week (but eat much more frozen pizza than fish); we hike in the woods on Sundays all year around (but overweight and inactivity is a major public health issue); we love (to watch) cross country skiing (on television) Method: fieldwork Participant observation Interviews

What is culture? Different definitions, and different ways of applying the concept Culture is that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. Culture is an historically transmitted pattern of meanings embodied in symbols, a system of inherited conceptions expressed in symbolic forms by means of which men (i.e. humans) communicate, perpetuate, and develop their knowledge about and their attitudes toward life Often presumed to be shared and long-term. Unifies people here-and-now and over time. BUT! Culture/identity: produced in relationships with others (insiders/outsiders). Culture changes ALL THE TIME – and we change it Culture is distributed? One culture or many (sub-)cultures? Values, ideas, practices: values/ideas guide practices, but not always in the same way.

How is Norwegian culture? Discuss in groups what you think is particular with Norwegian culture? (Think values, ideas, practices) Discuss your own experiences with how Norwegian culture has influenced on how Norwegians behave towards you?

Norway in a picture?

Gate-keeping concepts Key cultural notions or phenomena that cannot be ignored when approaching a cultural area or an ethnographic region Examples: gift-giving in Melanesia, the caste system in South Asia.. In the Nordic region: Equality as sameness

Equality as sameness People who eat, drink, consume and act more or less the same are also believed to share the same values and therefore consider themselves, and are considered by others, as equals in a more fundamental sense In Norway there is a passion for social equality New friendships are forged on common grounds (“birds of a feather flock together”) Fellowship expressed through engaging in activities that stress equality, mutuality, cooperation

Example: Dugnad “Volunteer” community work In kindergartens, housing co-operatives, football clubs etc. Both local and national

Equality = sameness  consequences 1: People who are regarded as different are excluded from certain informal social arenas.

Equality = sameness  consequences 2: Hierarchical elements and tendencies remain concealed, as they are willfully subdued and situations in which there could be conflicting values are avoided

Equality = sameness  consequences 3: The key narrative of Norwegian cultural homogeneity remains unchallenged

Equality = sameness  consequences 1: People who are regarded as different are excluded from certain informal social arenas 2: Hierarchical elements and tendencies remain concealed, as they are willfully subdued and situations in which there could be conflicting values are avoided 3: The key narrative of Norwegian cultural homogeneity remains unchallenged 4: Difference equals inequality: little tolerance of others’ hierarchical arrangements, regarding gender, financial differences, etc.

How equality shapes Norwegian everyday life Frugality, simplicity The simple life Hytte (holiday cabins in the mountains/by the sea) Matpakke (packed lunch, simple eating) Gå tur (enjoying nature, “getting away from it all”)

The simple life: Hytte

The simple life anno 2017

Eating equality: The matpakke

Matpakka is the result of a public policy Started with introduction of a school breakfast in 1920s aka the Oslo-breakfast Issue: health and nutrition Changed the national eating habits Value of raw food, over cooked food Raw food is “real” food: natural, clean and healthy It produces “natural” persons

Food tied to identity Matpakken tied to nature: belongs to outdoors Matpakken typical of ethnic Norwegians Matpakken tied to major state institutions: kindergartens and schools Encapsulates the relationship between the family and the state Food practices are structured by ideas of work and leisure time State intervention become part of everyday life We are what we eat – equals

The problem with the trendy matpakke?

The problem with the trendy matpakke? Reveals difference Elitist, showing off

Cross country skiing as identity performance

The simple life in Norwegian popular culture

When culture is not taken seriously… The Norwegian flag carrier Major opponent to SAS (Sweden vs. Norway) «A company for all», no first class. End of 1990s: introduced BEST and BACK; two different classes on-board. Not taken well by the public Conspicious consumption is rare; nobody would like to public display the lack of economic savvy Difference; introduced inequality into something which was considered a Norwegian flight carrier. 2005: Braathens did no longer exist. Bought by SAS.

Norway in a picture?

Culture and contradictions Cultures are not seamless entities: Contradictions flourish But, what appears from the outside as inconsistencies and logical scandals, is not necessarily experienced as such

Norwegian monarchy, a cultural scandal? Privilege by birth, in a fiercely egalitarian meritocracy, with little tolerance for hierarchies

Does culture explain anything? Are we cultural dupes? Culture=unity or variety? What is “chosen” to represent a nation? How does power shape this process? How are differences and that which does not fit evaded? How do values, ideas and pratices change over time? Influenced by global processes?