The anthropological study examines the role of masks and their place as an object within society, using the concept of “the social life of things” to explore how masks have not only become an integral part of the human experience due to the COVID-19 pandemic but how they have acquired meaning in different contexts in society, influencing people’s behaviour and society throughout their life cycle.
Researchers: Dr Shahaduz Zaman; Tanvir Shatil; Faruq Hossain
Partners: Institute of Development Studies (IDS)
Timeline: September 2021–March 2023
Status: Ongoing
Method: Qualitative
Contact: Faruq Hossain; faruq.hossain@bracu.ac.bd
Context
The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic made masks an intrinsic part of the lives of people around the world. It is no longer only a tool against the spread of the virus, rather it has acquired different meanings in society, influencing it in a variety of ways. The study considers masks as things, following the concept of “the social life of things” developed by Arjun Appadurai (1986) that describes three phases of human life: birth, social life, and death. Against this backdrop, the study aims to form a deeper understanding of the performance of the mask as an object within society.
Objectives
The purpose of the study is to understand masks from multi-dimensional perspectives, including the economic, political, cognitive, religious, and symbolic. The research focuses on how masks acquire meaning in different contexts throughout their life cycle and how they affect people’s behaviour.
This study is relevant to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), particularly to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Methodology
The study employs a range of ethnographic tools, including in-depth interviews (IDI), key informant interviews (KII), case studies, observation, and mask testimonies to gather data. To make the research more participatory, two peer researchers were deployed.
Findings and Recommendations
Study ongoing.
Supported by the UK aid from the UK Government through the COVID-19 Learning, Evidence and Research (CLEAR) Programme. CLEAR generates policy-relevant research and evidence to support COVID-19 recovery in Bangladesh. For more information contact clear.bgd@ids.ac.uk
