An Ethnographic Study of Communication Between Humans,Nature,and Place: In Search of a Sense of Belonging in Abarkouhi Homes,Iran

Abstract

This article uses Cronkhite’s definition of communication to examine the relationship between Abarkouhi homes and three forms of human communication—(1) human–human, (2) human–nature, and (3) human–place—that take place in the “home” as symbolic actions. We assumed first that it is the sense of belonging that causes the stability of life in Abarkouhi houses. We use the definitions of “home” offered by phenomenologists to present our theoretical synthesis based on two concepts of place and communication. The article will discuss the ethnographic methodology of the study and the ethnographic interviews conducted with the residents about Abarkouh’s historic context, including the analysis of a number of photos. After collecting the interview data, we combined them with the data gathered by direct observations. Some of the findings indicate that the current residents of Abarkouh are old men and women who are probably the last generation of people living in the historic city. Therefore, the sense of belonging to “home” and the level of adaptation to new ways of life and new communicative actions within the old homes are not such that they contribute to the durability of life in the old houses and to keeping the future generations eager enough to continue living in this historic context. Along with the introduction of new technology and a modern way of life, many of the communicative actions resulting from living in these homes have disappeared, and nothing has replaced them. We believe that the historic context of the city, including its various home types and typical places, is in danger of disappearing.