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Geister, Hexen und andere übernatürliche Akteure spielen in vielen afrikanischen Gesellschaften eine wichtige Rolle bei politischen Prozessen, bei der Aushandlung von Machtstrukturen und bei der Beilegung von Kriegen und Konflikten. Die Autoren analysieren dieses Spannungsfeld zwischen Religion und Politik aus dem Blickwinkel unterschiedlicher wissenschaftlicher Disziplinen. In Fallstudien und in vergleichender Perspektive geraten die afrikanische Lebenswelt und ihr Verständnis von Moderne in den Blick, ohne dass sie durch eurozentrische Paradigmen verfremdet werden.

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Contents

Acknowledgements7

Preface

Todd Sanders9

Part I: Assessing Uncertainties of Power and Healing

Power and Healing in African Politics: An Introduction

Barbara Meier, Victor Igreja & Arne S. Steinforth15

Spirits in Politics: Some Theoretical Reflections

Stephen Ellis & Gerrie ter Haar37

Witchcraft and the Colonial Life of the Fetish

Florence Bernault49

Part II: Curing Personal Misfortune

Remedies of Restoration: Evocation of Potency in Zanzibari Everyday Life Politics
Kjersti Larsen73

Spirit Idioms and the Politics of Context

Thomas G. Kirsch91

Witchcraft as Subtext: Deep Knowledge and the South African Public Sphere

Isak Niehaus115

Part III: Mending Uncertainties of Power

The Spirit in the Voting Booth: Democracy and Cosmology in Malawi

Arne S. Steinforth135

Spiritual Modernization: Fighting ´Paganism´ in Igboland

Johannes Harnischfeger157

Part IV: Reconciling Post-Conflict Societies

The Politics of Spirits, Justice, and Social Transformation in Mozambique

Victor Igreja & Limore Racin181

Poro Spirits and Political Transformation among the K??-M?nde of Sierra Leone

John M. Combey205

Powerful Spirits and Weak Rulers: Prophets´ Authority in Acholi Conflict

Barbara Meier223

Appendices

Contributors249

Index253

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Contents

Acknowledgements 7

Preface

Todd Sanders 9

Part I: Assessing Uncertainties of Power and Healing

Power and Healing in African Politics: An Introduction

Barbara Meier, Victor Igreja & Arne S. Steinforth 15

Spirits in Politics: Some Theoretical Reflections

Stephen Ellis & Gerrie ter Haar 37

Witchcraft and the Colonial Life of the Fetish

Florence Bernault 49

Part II: Curing Personal Misfortune

Remedies of Restoration: Evocation of Potency in Zanzibari Everyday Life Politics

Kjersti Larsen 73

Spirit Idioms and the Politics of Context

Thomas G. Kirsch 91

Witchcraft as Subtext: Deep Knowledge and the South African Public Sphere

Isak Niehaus 115

Part III: Mending Uncertainties of Power

The Spirit in the Voting Booth: Democracy and Cosmology in Malawi

Arne S. Steinforth 135

Spiritual Modernization: Fighting ´Paganism´ in Igboland

Johannes Harnischfeger 157

Part IV: Reconciling Post-Conflict Societies

The Politics of Spirits, Justice, and Social Transformation in Mozambique

Victor Igreja & Limore Racin 181

Poro Spirits and Political Transformation among the K??-M?nde of Sierra Leone

John M. Combey 205

Powerful Spirits and Weak Rulers: Prophets´ Authority in Acholi Conflict

Barbara Meier 223

Appendices

Contributors 249

Index 253

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