The Sorcerer's Burden
The Ethnographic Saga of a Global Family
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Beschreibung
This book emerges from the author's 35 years of research and thought about the Songhay people of Niger. This ethnographic novel follows the life of Omar Dia, the oldest son of a West African sorcerer. When his father falls ill and dies, the great sorcerer vomits a small metal chain onto his chest. Following the path of his ancestors, Omar swallows the chain, becoming his father's successor, which means that he takes on the sorcerer's burden. The book also describes how custodians of traditional knowledge are creatively adapting to the forces of globalization—all in a highly accessible narrative text.
This book emerges from the author's 35 years of research and thought about the Songhay people of Niger. This ethnographic novel follows the life of Omar Dia, the oldest son of a West African sorcerer. When his father falls ill and dies, the great sorcerer vomits a small metal chain onto his chest. Following the path of his ancestors, Omar swallows the chain, becoming his father's successor, which means that he takes on the sorcerer's burden. The book also describes how custodians of traditional knowledge are creatively adapting to the forces of globalization—all in a highly accessible narrative text.
Presents the work of a top anthropologist-writer in the field Appeals to interdisciplinary interests in Anthropology, African Studies as well as ethnography writing, literature, and sociology Expands on the widespread interest in magical practices and the clash of western and emerging cultures
Autor*in
Paul Stoller
Themen in »The Sorcerer's Burden«
African studies Niger Sorcery and Shamanism Literary anthropology African religions Ethnographic writing