The Four Seasons of Ethnography: a creation-centered ontology for ethnography

Abstract

This essay demonstrates the major implications of ontological context for ethnographic methodology. The Four Seasons of Ethnography are developed as exemplary of ontologically based methodology, guiding the use of familiar research methods according to ideals suggested by a creation-centered ontology of natural cycles. This ontology assumes depth of contact and reflection necessary to fully privilege (1) integrated awareness of the human instrument, or ethnographic researcher, with experiential, historical and cultural context, and (2) respect-in-practice for the unavoidable cyclic/wise nature of emergent experience, as co-creative of ethnography. The ultimate goal of such research is not objective or bracketed observations and reports, but texts contextualized with awareness and surrender to the emergence of co-creative cycles. This produces ethnography which is humble, holistic, and in consciously dynamic relationship with its context.