Journal of the Geographical Institute "Jovan Cvijic", SASA 2024 Volume 74, Issue 3, Pages: 399-415
https://doi.org/10.2298/IJGI2403399S
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Exploring the spatialization of culture: Perspectives from Slovenian ethnology
Slavec-Gradišnik Ingrid 
(The Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Institute of Slovenian Ethnology, Ljubljana, Slovenia), ingrid.slavec-gradisnik@zrc-sazu.si
The article presents observations on the intricate processes of localizing
peoples and cultures, drawing on their spatial mapping, a practice known
since antiquity. The introducing part outlines general views on the causal
relationship between culture and environment. The Enlightenment put forward
the hypothesis of environmental determinism, which provided a rationale for
linking people, cultures, and geographies well into the 20th century,
particularly in anthropogeography and culturearea research. The isomorphism
of space/place and culture characterized research until the late 20th
century when the postmodern turns called it into question. The theory of
practice and the spatial turn proved particularly influential in
anthropology and ethnology. In this field, the central concept of culture
has been deconstructed; this has stimulated debates about ethnography as a
genre of “writing culture” and fieldwork as a locally grounded research
practice. The second part of the text shows how Slovenian ethnology in the
20th century pursued cultural area research shared with other European
regional or national ethnologies that focus on the national territory.
However, research has not shown a clear correspondence between cultural and
ethnic/national boundaries. In this respect, ethnology has maintained a
critical distance from cultural essentialization. On the other hand, it has
not particularly reflected upon space; space has functioned as the natural
environment, the obvious background of culture. In this respect, the
reception of the spatial turn brought a particular sensitivity to studying
spatial practices and experiences and refining research methodologies.
Keywords: human geography, culture, spatial turn, anthropology of space and place, Slovenia
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