Accepted Panels

This research article is the outcome of my methodological experience using multispecies ethnography. The Mandiyalis from the villages close to IIT Mandi in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh were participants in this 15-day field study. The paradigm of multispecies ethnography, a developing area of anthropology that opposes traditional anthropocentrism, is the focus of my investigation. It seeks to redefine holism in the context of ethnographic inquiry by recognizing the interconnections between humans and non-human species at the micro and macro levels. I conducted in-depth case studies to document the experiences of people and groups whose relationships with various species have had a tremendous impact on their lives. Life histories enlightened the viewpoints of different generations, and photography provided a visual account of the co-existence of various species. While the interviews I performed were largely with human participants, my participant observation extended to include those whose voices are often marginalized—the animals, plants, and ecosystems themselves. It argues for integrating multispecies perspectives into anthropological research as a means of reimagining holism in a rapidly changing world. It is a journey that takes us beyond the confines of anthropocentrism, inviting us to embrace a broader, more inclusive perspective—one that celebrates the vibrant fabric of life in which humans are just one thread among many.