Witchcraft, Sorcery, Rumors and Gossip (New Departures in Anthropology) - Hardcover

Stewart, Pamela J.; Strathern, Andrew

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521808685 ISBN 13: 9780521808682

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2003

Synopsis

Two classic topics in social anthropology are combined in this work--the study of witchcraft and sorcery and the study of rumors and gossip. After revealing the importance of rumor and gossip as catalysts for accusations of witchcraft and sorcery, it demonstrates their role in the genesis of social and political violence, as seen in peasant rebellions, as well as witch-hunts. The study draws upon examples from Africa, Europe, India, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

About this title

Book Description:

This book combines two classic topics in social anthropology in a new synthesis: the study of witchcraft and sorcery and the study of rumors and gossip. First, it shows how rumor and gossip are invariably important as catalysts for accusations of witchcraft and sorcery. Second, it demonstrates the role of rumor and gossip in the genesis of social and political violence, as in the case of both peasant rebellions and witch-hunts. Examples supporting the argument are drawn from Africa, Europe, India, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

Review:

'The topic of witchcraft needs up-dating in exactly this way. Witchcraft beliefs are too often studied in an arcane anthropological bye-water, but this approach offers a wide synthesis of an important field.' Mary Douglas, University College London

'These themes are of great relevance today ...'. Oxfam's Development Resources Review

'... a brave and original attempt by a pair of anthropologists specializing in the study of New Guinea to introduce a new element into the analysis of that most elusive of concepts, 'witchcraft', by relating studies concerning various times and places to patterns of gossip and rumour. The general model [used is that] ... all human communities indulge in gossip and spread rumours. When the gossip about a person gets sufficiently unpleasant, or perhaps when there is a clear threat against an entire society ... the targets of hate speech are liable to become the victims of direct verbal or even physical attack ... Where anthropological and historical specialists on 'witchcraft' risk going in different directions, each being too little aware of the existence of the other, Stewart and Strathern are admirably open-minded and inclusive. There is no better book for those who want to think about 'witchcraft' not as a curious and outmoded folly, but as something that is considered by many to exist, and which bears an uncomfortable relationship to forms of perceived deviance that are all too common in the most scientifically advanced countries, and can lead to forms of persecution that are all too tragic.' Stephen Ellis, Afrika-Studiocentrum, Leiden

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0521808685
• ISBN 13: 9780521808682
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 246