In the history of Polish science, Bronisław Malinowski does not occupy the podium in terms of popularity. He is a far cry from Maria Skłodowska-Curie or Nicolaus Copernicus. However, thanks to his innovative approach to cultural anthropology, he made his mark on history forever, and on the other side of the world there is a plaque commemorating his travels and discoveries.

Biographical outline

Bronislaw Malinowski was born in 1884 in Krakow. This world-famous Polish anthropologist studied philosophy at the Jagiellonian University. He then moved to London, where he not only developed his scientific skills, but also lectured. The years between 1914 and 1918 proved to be a turning point in his career, when he conducted pioneering and highly insightful field research in the Trobriand Islands.

On his return from the remote islands, his career took off. In 1927 he took the first Chair of Anthropology at London University and later taught at Yale University in the USA. He died suddenly in 1942, leaving behind a legacy that revolutionised modern anthropology.

The uniqueness of Malinowski's scientific profile lay in his revolutionary approach to research methodology. He rejected the typical theoretical 'cabinet anthropology' in favour of a method of participatory observation, while combining it with deep academic analysis. He spent years living among the Trobriand people, learning their language and seeing the world through their eyes, which he described, among other things, in his work 'Argonauts of the Western Pacific'.

Commemoration on the Trobriand Islands

The memory of Bronislaw Malinowski is still alive. Not only in the world of science, but also in the place where he made his greatest discoveries. In the village of Omarakana, there is a plaque that commemorates the great Polish scientist.

The headline on the plaque captures the respect the locals had for him: "Toboma Miskabati", which in their language means "worthy of the highest respect old man". Below, in Polish and English, is a commemorative text:

GREAT SCIENTIST

SON OF THE

POLISH NATION

FOUNDER OF MODERN-

OF MODERN ANTHROPOLOGY

SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY

FRIEND OF THE PEOPLES

OF THE TROBRIAND ISLANDS

AND POPULARISER OF THEIR CULTURE (...

PROMOTER OF THEIR CULTURE (...)

JAGIELLONIAN UNIVERSITY IN CRACOW

NATIONAL MUSEUM IN SZCZECIN

POLAND