Doing Reflexive Research in a ‘native’ Field

The relationship between the ethnographic text and cultural background of the anthropologist hailing from a culture different than the people he studied has already been well discussed in the wide range of anthropological literature. This paper explores the relationship between ethnographic text and the native anthropologist that has seldom been discussed so far. The paper also discusses the problems and strengths of the native research in comparison to research in an alien cultural context. The conclusion of paper is that reflexivity and positionality of the anthropological researcher is not only relevant for alien contexts, it is also important in native research. It should encourage the field researcher in exposing the circumstances of the field instead of concealing them. Such writings clarify and help in understanding the local ethnography better and thus strengthen the local fieldwork.