World Literary Awards

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Gregory L. Forth

グレゴリー・エル・フォース

Gregory L. Forth

Profile

Gender
Male
Languages
English
Residence History
Canada (Edmonton, University of Alberta) → Indonesia (Flores Island, fieldwork)

Career

Occupations
Anthropologist, University professor, Author
Active Years
1980-2023
Affiliations
University of Alberta, Department of Anthropology
Memberships
Royal Society of Canada

Education

University of Oxford
Anthropology
Degree: PhD
Year of Graduation: 1980
Country: United Kingdom

Awards

Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year
2020
Work: A Dog Pissing at the Edge of a Path: Animal Metaphors in Eastern Indonesian Society
Organization: The Bookseller / Diagram Prize
Result: 受賞
Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
Organization: Royal Society of Canada
Result: 選出（Fellow）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Rindi: an ethnographic study of a traditional domain in eastern Sumba

1981 Ethnography / Anthropology

A detailed ethnographic study of a traditional domain in eastern Sumba, describing social structure, local practices, and numeric concepts.

ethnographysocial structurenumerical concepts

The language of number and numerical ability in Eastern Sumba

1985 Linguistic anthropology

Analyzes numerical language in Eastern Sumba and the cognitive and cultural implications of numerical ability.

numberlanguagecognition

Space and place in Eastern Indonesia

1991 Cultural geography / Anthropology

Examines concepts of space and place in eastern Indonesia based on fieldwork, addressing local spatial categories and practices.

spatial cognitionplacecultural geography

Beneath the Volcano

1998 Ethnography / Nature and culture

Discusses human–nature interactions in volcanic regions, focusing on ritual, belief, and environmental relations.

nature and cultureritualenvironment

Dualism and Hierarchy

2001 Theoretical anthropology

A theoretical analysis of social dualisms and hierarchical structures, using comparative approaches to discuss regional societies.

dualismhierarchysocial theory

Nage Birds

2003 Ethnozoology / Animal folklore

Examines birds among the Nage people of Flores and their cultural significance.

birdsethnozoologysymbolism

Images of the Wildman in Southeast Asia: An Anthropological Perspective

2008 Cultural anthropology / Folklore studies

Anthropological examination of wildman images in Southeast Asia, discussing local traditions and contemporary interpretations.

wildmanfolkloresymbolism

A Dog Pissing at the Edge of a Path: Animal Metaphors in Eastern Indonesian Society

2019 Ethnography / Animal folklore

A fieldwork-based analysis of animal metaphors in eastern Indonesian societies, interpreting social relations and values through metaphor.

animal metaphorssocial relationsethnography

Between Ape and Human: An Anthropologist on the Trail of a Hidden Hominoid

2022 Anthropology / Cryptozoology-related ethnography

Based on accounts from Flores inhabitants (e.g. ebu gogo), discusses the possibility of Homo floresiensis persisting and the significance of local folk memories; includes controversial suggestions.

Homo floresiensisfolk narrativewild hominoids

Bibliography

  • Rindi: an ethnographic study of a traditional domain in eastern Sumba (1981)
  • The language of number and numerical ability in Eastern Sumba (1985)
  • Space and place in Eastern Indonesia (1991)
  • Beneath the Volcano (1998)
  • Dualism and Hierarchy (2001)
  • Nage Birds (2003)
  • Images of the Wildman in Southeast Asia: An Anthropological Perspective (2008)
  • A Dog Pissing at the Edge of a Path: Animal Metaphors in Eastern Indonesian Society (2019)
  • Between Ape and Human: An Anthropologist on the Trail of a Hidden Hominoid (2022)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Combines structuralist perspectives with interpretivist approachesDetailed ethnographic writing grounded in fieldwork
Recurring Motifs
animals and metaphorwildman/folk creaturesspace and placedualism and hierarchy

Legacy

Known for ethnographic research in eastern Indonesia, ethnozoology, and studies of wildman images. His work has drawn both scholarly recognition and public attention (including for an unusually titled book) and contributed to debates around Homo floresiensis.

Academic Societies

  • Royal Society of Canada

Archives

  • University of Alberta (possible repository for related materials)

In Popular Culture

  • The eccentric title of 'A Dog Pissing at the Edge of a Path' attracted media attention and led to the 2020 Diagram Prize win.

Trivia

  • His book 'A Dog Pissing at the Edge of a Path' won the 2020 Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year.
  • Has argued, based on Flores island folk accounts (e.g. ebu gogo), that Homo floresiensis might still persist, a suggestion that has attracted controversy.