The symbolic and ethnic aspects of envy among a Teenek community (Mexico)

摘要

Fear of envy plays a central role in the social interactions of a Teenek community in northeastern Mexico, as it influences the daily behavior of its members and inhibits the accumulation of material excess. In this paper in addition to the socioeconomic explanation of this phenomenon, the symbolic approach to envy provides insights into certain aspects of the group sociality because the ramification of envy serves to demarcate the Teenek community. Thus, envy could also prove to be a cognitive means of defining an ethnic group.