Monday, April 15, 2013

"Indian Religions in the Global Emerald Trade: A Photo Essay" by Brian Brazeal


http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1548-7458.2012.01119.x/abstract

Brazeal, B. (2012), “Indian Religions in the Global Emerald Trade: A Photo Essay.” Visual Anthropology Review 28.2 (2012): 120–132. Wiley Online Library. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. 


Theme: Jain jewelry makers in India
Jains hire Muslims to cut their diamonds.  Jains distrust the Muslims, though, for exchanging their high grade stones for lower quality stones.

Those who cut the stones are called karigars.  The Muslim stone cutters sit on the floor in room decorated by Qu'ran quotes.  They occasionally exchange ideas in Urdu.

Jains hire Hindu and Muslim workers to use machines to polish the stones.  Working the machines is not as prestigious a job as cutting the stones from hand.

“Religious communities become the loci of commodity transactions. Religious principles like the Jain doctrine of Dan, or the Gift, and Muslim Zakat, the obligation to give alms, can help sacralize the profits made in the emerald trade.” P.131


"An Islamic Life in Trade. Muslim families were long confined to the role of karigar, workmen in the emerald trade. They were perceived as dishonest and unfit for anything but manual, artisanal labor. Although prejudices against Indian Muslims persist, many have managed to defy the stereotypes and succeed in international emerald trading. Families like this one import, cut, and export their own stones. An Islamic Life in Trade. Muslim families were long confined to the role of karigar, workmen in the emerald trade. They were perceived as dishonest and unfit for anything but manual, artisanal labor. Although prejudices against Indian Muslims persist, many have managed to defy the stereotypes and succeed in international emerald trading. Families like this one import, cut, and export their own stones."p.131



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