The Gemstone Industry in Egyptian Society "Modes and Relations of production - An Anthropological Study"

Document Type : Academic research papers

Authors

1 faculty of women , Ain shams University , Egypt

2 Sociology department, Girls College, Ain Shams University

3 Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Women for Arts, Science & Education - Ain Shams University, Egypt

Abstract

This research paper aims to explore the production modes and relationships in the gemstone industry by examining the stages of the production process, the tools used in the industry, the developments that have occurred, as well as identifying the relationships associated with the production process. Additionally, it seeks to understand the challenges faced by the gemstone industry through the perspective of 27 case studies of craftsmen, including 15 workshop owners. The paper analyzes this through Karl Marx's theory of production modes, which will be adapted to study and analyze the forces and relationships of production in the gemstone industry. This involves understanding the economic and social transformations that have affected the community and how they have influenced changes in production relationships and tools, leading to different production modes. Methodologically, the researcher utilized anthropological method and its various tools such as observation, in-depth interviews, and photography. The researcher also employed the methodology of studying the local community. The research findings indicate the existence of different production modes. Despite the workshops using the same number and tools in the production process, the researcher observed variations in the economic level of the workshops, which is reflected in the workshop space, production volume, number of workers, product diversity, production relationships, and technological advancements in some workshops.

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Buhūth
Volume 5, Issue 1
Social Sciences and Humanities and languages
January 2025
Pages 1-32

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