What's in Your Bag, Anthropologists?

Abstract

From the Andean highlands to Appalachia, anthropologists from across the discipline open their eld bags to reveal favorite pens, recording equipment, emergency granola bars, and-of coursescarves. What's in your bag? Tammy Clemons My backpack often serves as a mobile o ce, so it always includes eldwork/travel essentials like basic o ce supplies, consent forms, a notebook with a stitched cover my mamaw made, and some combination of electronic devices. Depending on where I'm going and what I need, I have an iPhone (can you nd it in the picture?), a laptop, and, most recently, a tablet. I've used all as audio recording devices at some point, and the iPhone is indispensable for highresolution photos, recording voice memos, and scanning documents. Other digital accessories include headphones, chargers, ash drives, and an ethernet cable for high-speed internet connections. Survival tools include a multi-purpose knife, water bottle, and Tide-to-Go stick;and small comforts range from Emergen-C, mentholated lip balm, and a tea tree/peppermint oil "headache stick," to a repurposed AAA mint tin for aspirins. Not pictured but equally important when travelling at night/overnight: headlamp (because cell phone ashlights are not handy or clutz- proof), menthol/camphor rub (night-time breathing relief/relaxant), and Calmes Forte (homeopathic sleep aid). Finally, I might not play for months or years at a time, but I almost always carry a hackysack, which can be a great way to meet people, have fun, and share mutual accomplishments.Tammy Clemons is a PhD candidate at the University of Kentucky. Her dissertation research focuses on the cultural productions of young media makers in Appalachia. You can read more on her work here. A.J. FaasThis is my daily bag and contents for eldwork in