To many Westerners; the disappearance of African traditions of witchcraft might seem inevitable wuth continued modernization. In The Modernity of Witchcraft; Peter Geschieres uses his own experiences among the Maka and in other parts of eastern and southern Cameroon; as well as other anthropological research; to argue that contemporary ideas and practices of witchcraft are more a response to modern exigencies than a lingering cultural custom. The prevalence of witchcraft; especially in African politics and entrepreneurship; demonstrates the unlikely balance it has achieved with the forces of modernity. Geshiere explores why modern techniques and commodities; usually of Western Provenance; have become central in rumors of the occult.
#974342 in Books Rutgers University Press 2003-01-23Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.90 x .90 x 5.90l; .97 #File Name: 0813533023272 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy RiaThis book will change your perspective on history.13 of 25 people found the following review helpful. A Professor And A Scientist That We Can All Learn FromBy M. BrownI believe that this book is one of the best books ever written. It's content has the highest potential in changing how we; as a society view "race." This book intelligently goes into detail in defining just what race is and what it is not. It gives a vast amount of research and data in clearly portraying how multiple "races" got started and it leads the reader in the direction of knowing how to not necessarily change the world's views on racism; but more importantly; how to change our own. It shows how society views itself and how much of the whole picture we've been too oblivious to even see. In truth; we see too much; we can't even get past the color of one another's skin. This book teaches that it's okay to see a phenotype as long as we learn not to associate a sterotype with the so called "races" of our society. Lastly; this book taught me that there's no such thing as "race" because in fact we are all of the HUMAN race; therefore one in the same; not so different as some tend to think.6 of 9 people found the following review helpful. I wrote this one too!By Dr. Joseph L. Graves JrStill a classic and a must read if one wishes to comprehend the history of racial theory in the Western World.Dr. Joseph L. Graves Jr.Also author of: The Race Myth: Why We Pretend Race Exists in America; Dutton Books; 2005.
