On Perils and Privileges of Native Anthropology in Pakistan: Locating Self of a Punjabi Anthropologist.

This article critically examines the concept of "nativeness" in anthropology through the experiences of a Punjabi anthropologist conducting fieldwork in two Pakistani villages, highlighting the complex interplay between the anthropologist’s social identity, kinship ties, and academic role. It problematizes fixed binaries such as native/foreign and insider/outsider, arguing that the term "native anthropologist" encompasses both privileges and perils shaped by historical, social, and cultural contexts. The paper emphasizes how the anthropologist’s embeddedness in local hierarchies, particularly caste and land ownership, influences rapport-building, representation, and the ethical responsibilities of writing ethnography. It also underscores the dynamic nature of the field and cautions against static or biased representations that fail to reflect ongoing social changes. Ultimately, the study advocates for heightened reflexivity among native anthropologists regarding their positionality and the consequences of their ethnographic portrayals.