CRITIQUE ON BOOK

Critique On (Harry G West: Ethnographic Sorcery, University Of Chicago Pree 2007)

Critique On (Harry G West: Ethnographic Sorcery, University Of Chicago Pree 2007)

Introduction

It is easy to cite the virtues of this book. It is lucid, learned, short and engaging. Reading what he has to say about "witchcraft" in contemporary Africa and how contemporary anthropology strives to learn and understand the phenomenon by comparing the level of the eye is a must for novices and powerful "must" for experts.

It is not so easy, however, meet the needs of an examiner who first summarize the content of the book and logical structure. Significantly, I think, fifteen chapters are not numbered, the sequence bears no resemblance to the usual divisions of a monograph and their titles are suggestive rather than descriptive. To meet the challenges it represents to let me start watching the genus, that 'the second book, "which an ethnographer, having satisfied the obligation to publish academic research thesis in the form of monographs, now feel grateful (and free) to reflect what the project really is. West laid the foundation for fieldwork in 1994, 1999, and at least a newer visit in 2001 in the midst of "Muedans," as he calls them, mostly rural, living on the Makonde Plateau in north Mueda post socialist Mozambique. He was assisted by several local scientists whose contributions, he was careful to qualify that ethnographers instead colleague assistant. At first, his project is to reverse the anthropological perspective on the past and what is called tradition and learning to design a Muedan (their) future. “In search of the farmer-looking, "as he said, he

So in fact, he found what he would do to look anywhere in this book, he characterizes Muedans as "futuristic"-his inquiry into the future has landed him at present. Apparently, something else must be done before we are ready and able to recognize and co-temporaneity contemporary African objects of our study. To many (including me), it is the discovery of "popular culture" of the West (and others), he seemed to be the "modern" ubiquitous "witchcraft".

Even the chapter titles may leave a little confused, it quickly becomes clear that the chapter consists of episodes in a story of progress or, to invoke an image that may be more suitable for hunting. It is not a simple story of (as is the ambitious West) is the son of multiple ethnographic analysis is woven into a single text: the advancement of research, the accumulation of ethnographic knowledge, improved understanding and move forward on the path followed by a hunted animals; anthropological theory in general, the secret / witchcraft studies in particular. Combining multiple levels at which this exhibition unfolds is a high demand on the ability to drive for absorption: the basic information needed on the history and politics of post-socialist Mozambique vivid, often poignant, memories meetings and events during the fieldwork; reported dialogues, self-reflective research, quotation and reproduction thesis supported in the classical sources and theoretical position and rich (but boring) ...