Review: Techniques of the body by Marcel Mauss

Marcel Mauss was unique in considering the intrinsic importance of body techniques through
ethnological research.Mauss observed various practices ( for example eating with fork etc) in different
societies and how each one of them invariably were influenced by society. Using his ethnography
studies, Mauss points out that based on the society to society men uses various body technique (how to
use their bodies). Further, he elaborates that these techniques are biological, psychological and
sociological influences. In other categorization, he divides body techniques based on sexual aspects,
with age, efficiency and the transmission of the form. Importantly, Mauss uses that these movements
carry knowledge and understanding than being just mechanical. Habitus is a word in use by Mauss
describes the collective knowledge involved in these movements.

Although, most of the bodily techniques are learnt from the society or at least influence by the society, I
believe this assumption is not completely true. Imagining, a lost man in the jungle could also perhaps
learn many things without being influenced by the society. Eating, sleeping, mating and defending
seems to be natural for the living entity and the techniques developed are to be differentiated externally
otherwise, the primary techniques look very similar despite changing cultures. Further, how two twins
although brought up in same culture and family might behave very differently. Therefore, although the
bodily techniques are definitely influenced by the world outside, there seems to be something more
intrinsic among the children which is influencing their bodily techniques which is paraphs difficult to be
understood using the mere ethnographic studies.