Beyond authenticity: An ethnographic reflection on Italians in Australia and Italians in Italy

Abstract

This article highlights a divergence between equivalent cultural practices undertaken by Calabrians in Italy and by individuals originating from Calabria living in Australia. It offers a reflexive framework on identity and authenticity. Previous research on a group of Calabrian-Australian families living in Australia found a widespread feeling among participants that they were ‘more Italian’ than the Italians who live in Italy. On the other hand, similar claims were made in Italy, during a brief period of fieldwork in Calabria among the ‘sedentaries’ (those who did not emigrate). Data show differences between the modus operandi of equivalent cultural practices among the participants in Adelaide and in Calabria and a divergence in participants’ perceptions of ethnic identity and authenticity. In proposing the terms ‘Archetype village’ and ‘Alter Ego village’ to refer respectively to the migrants’ village of origin and their community overseas the article examines notions of authenticity utilising socio-anthropological theory.