Christopher T. Nelson
Anthropologist and author of When the Bones Speak: The Living, the Dead, and the Sacrifice of Contemporary Okinawa (Duke University Press, 2025); spoke about his ethnographic research on war memory, the dead, and sacrifice in Okinawa.
Best podcasts with Christopher T. Nelson
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Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 8min
Christopher Nelson, "When the Bones Speak: The Living, the Dead, and the Sacrifice of Contemporary Okinawa" (Duke UP, 2025)
Christopher T. Nelson, an anthropologist and author, dives into the haunting effects of war memory and sacrifice in Okinawa. He explores how local Okinawans are intertwined with the legacies of colonialism and military occupation. Nelson discusses the complexities of life and death through Okinawan concepts like inochi and mabui. Artistic representations and community practices highlight the ongoing struggle for identity and historical remembrance. He shares insights into the ethical implications of his research and the powerful voices of those affected by past traumas.
Nov 5, 2025 • 1h 8min
Christopher Nelson, "When the Bones Speak: The Living, the Dead, and the Sacrifice of Contemporary Okinawa" (Duke UP, 2025)
In this engaging discussion, Christopher T. Nelson, an anthropologist and former U.S. Marine, explores the complex legacies of war in Okinawa. He delves into how Okinawans navigate memories of sacrifice and trauma, and critiques patriotic art that sanitizes these narratives. Nelson highlights the importance of community efforts in memorialization and discusses the contradictions inherent in concepts of life and death. He also reflects on how ethical recovery practices help contest state narratives, revealing deeper truths about the past.
