Ever since fieldwork became the preferred a p proach to gathering ethnographic information, the quality and quantity of research data being gathered has increased radically. Presentday stu- dents have both the training and equipment to make the most of their temporary stay in the field. Yet, the way we relate to the people we study has changed little since the first anthropol- ogists left for the field in colonial days. Most field- work still follows the same general pattern. Anthropologists go into the field and gather their material,usuallyexplainingthatitwillbeusedto write a book. Having gathered.thematerial need- ed, they leave, establishing their careers on the merits of the research done. While these days a copy of the thesis written is sent back to local informants, research data will remain under the anthropologists’care and control. Access to raw field materials rarely is granted to others, includ- ing members of the study community, during an anthropologist’s lifetime.