Michel Leiris

Michel Leiris (1901–1990) was a French writer, ethnographer, and art critic known for his innovative approach to exploring identity and culture. He started as a writer and was involved in surrealist circles, but later became a pioneering figure in ethnography through his firsthand fieldwork with African tribes, combined with personal reflection. Leiris’s work blends autobiographical insights with cultural analysis, emphasizing the importance of self-examination and understanding diverse human experiences. His contributions helped bridge literature and anthropology, encouraging a more subjective, introspective approach to studying cultures and identity.