<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>In this paper, I draw on ethnographic fieldwork (participant observation) carried out at a Bulgarian service area to argue that such spaces create a ‘meaningful sociality’ building on imagination and sensual experience, as well as on experiences of intersectional oppression or dominance. I draw on the history and adaptations of <italic>shkembeto</italic> (tripe soup) and my observations of its preparation and serving at one such service area. This soup, which is famous in Turkey and Bulgaria, offers some people disorienting sensory experiences that are associated with complex power relations, which makes the service area a site for reflection on discrimination and gender roles. The paper closes with reflections on the sociality of such places, which is ephemeral but meaningful both there and at home.</p>
</abstract>

In this paper, I draw on ethnographic fieldwork (participant observation) carried out at a Bulgarian service area to argue that such spaces create a ‘meaningful sociality’ building on imagination and sensual experience, as well as on experiences of intersectional oppression or dominance. I draw on the history and adaptations of shkembeto (tripe soup) and my observations of its preparation and serving at one such service area. This soup, which is famous in Turkey and Bulgaria, offers some people disorienting sensory experiences that are associated with complex power relations, which makes the service area a site for reflection on discrimination and gender roles. The paper closes with reflections on the sociality of such places, which is ephemeral but meaningful both there and at home.

Tripe Soup at the Service Area: Thoughts on an Infrastructure of Meaningful Sociality

University Assistant; PhD researcher Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology

Journal of Ethnology and Folkloristics

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

In this paper, I draw on ethnographic fieldwork (participant observation) carried out at a Bulgarian service area to argue that such spaces create a...

Tripe Soup at the Service Area: Thoughts on an Infrastructure of Meaningful Sociality

Publié en ligne: 11 juin 2024

Pages: 152 - 166

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jef-2024-0010

Mots clés
meaningful sociality, infrastructure, service area, tripe soup, ethnography

© 2024 Michael Anranter, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Tripe Soup at the Service Area: Thoughts on an Infrastructure of Meaningful Sociality

Publié en ligne: 11 juin 2024

Pages: 152 - 166

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jef-2024-0010

Mots clésmeaningful sociality, infrastructure, service area, tripe soup, ethnography

© 2024 Michael Anranter, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Mots clés
meaningful sociality, infrastructure, service area, tripe soup, ethnography