What role did anthropologists play in colonial administration?

Anthropologists played a significant, though often controversial, role in colonial administration. During the colonial period, particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, many anthropologists worked closely with colonial governments and officials, and their research often served the interests of the colonial powers. Here are some of the key roles they played:

1. Studying Indigenous Societies: Anthropologists often conducted ethnographic studies of indigenous peoples, documenting their social structures, cultures, languages, and belief systems. These studies were typically framed in a way that portrayed indigenous societies as “primitive” or “backward,” which helped to justify colonial rule as a “civilizing mission.”
2. Advising Colonial Administrators: Anthropologists provided advice on how to govern colonized populations. They helped administrators understand local customs, social hierarchies, and governance systems. This knowledge was used to maintain control over the indigenous people, often through indirect rule, where colonial powers would work with traditional leaders to govern local populations.
3. Creating Systems of Classification: Anthropologists often helped colonial powers categorize and “scientifically” classify indigenous peoples, cultures, and languages. These classifications reinforced the notion of racial hierarchies, with Europeans positioned at the top and indigenous peoples placed in a subordinate position. This work contributed to the development of racist ideologies that underpinned colonial policies.
4. Justifying Colonialism: Some anthropologists provided intellectual support for the justification of colonialism by framing it as a necessary step in the evolutionary development of societies. They argued that colonialism was a way to help “primitive” societies progress toward modernity and civilization.
5. Exploiting Indigenous Knowledge: Anthropologists often gathered valuable indigenous knowledge, such as agricultural practices, medicinal knowledge, and social organization, which was then used for the benefit of colonial powers. In many cases, this knowledge was appropriated without any benefit to the indigenous people who shared it.
6. Contributing to Colonial Economy: By understanding indigenous populations, anthropologists helped colonial governments exploit resources more efficiently. For example, knowledge of indigenous labor systems and economies could be used to extract resources or control the workforce.
7. Legitimizing Colonial Control: By studying and reporting on indigenous cultures, anthropologists helped frame the colonial encounter as one between “civilized” Europeans and “primitive” or “savage” peoples, making the domination of the latter seem legitimate or even necessary.