Paper short abstract:

Inspired by M. Hénaff’s work I will reflect on the notions of gift and sacrifice. I will argue that they seem to be more adequate to grasp the ambivalence of belonging - a socio-relational concept -, than the term “price” - a signifier of detachment due to its proximity to money.

Paper long abstract:

Belonging signifies the existence of social obligations and emotional ties of individuals in relation to (collective) others. While, thus, belonging presupposes a particular social positionality and certain constraints in outlook and action, it also involves openness and desire to experience something new, to develop, improve, transform oneself and probably one's context. Be-longing always implies a choice to define what one wants to be(-come) and to act accordingly. Yet, both, living up to one's aspirations as well as restricting or forfeiting them does not come without "costs", it has its "price".

Although I am aware that the notion of "price" can be and is used in a metaphorical sense in the context of the panel, I think we need to see here a question mark and ask if we really need an "economic" vocabulary to describe what individuals have to give, what they must forego in order to belong. Inspired by M. Hénaff's work on "le prix de la verité" (2002) I want to reflect on the concepts of gift and sacrifice. I will argue that they seem to be more adequate to grasp the ambivalence of belonging (in its core a socio-relational concept) than the term "price", which due to its proximity to money signifies detachment and is considered as "a tool of freedom" (Hénaff).

I will substantiate my reflections with ethnographic references drawn from my research in Central Himalayan villages and on social movements in the region.