Anthropology, Empire, and Resistance: French Colonial Ethnography, American Intervention, and the Moroccan Struggle in The Riffian

Abstract

This article explores the complex relationship between anthropology, colonialism, and resistance in Morocco by analyzing the works of Edmond Doutté, Robert Montagne, and Carleton Coon. It investigates how French and American anthropologists approached Moroccan society, drawing comparisons between their methods and objectives. The analysis highlights how anthropology was used as both a tool for governance and a form of cultural critique. Particular attention is given to Carleton Coon’s novel The Riffian, which serves as a unique case study, blending ethnographic insight with fiction. The article argues that these anthropologists’ work reflects the tensions between colonial power, scholarly inquiry, and cultural identity. The findings illustrate that while anthropology often served imperial interests, it also provided spaces for anti-colonial narratives and deeper understandings of Moroccan life.