Ethnographic Sorcery

by Harry G. West

According to the people of the Mueda plateau in northern Mozambique, sorcerers remake the world by asserting the authority of their own imaginative visions of it. While conducting research among these Muedans, anthropologist Harry G. West made a revealing discovery—for many of them, West’s efforts to elaborate an ethnographic vision of their world was itself a form of sorcery. In Ethnographic Sorcery , West explores the fascinating issues provoked by this equation.

A key theme of West’s research into sorcery is that one sorcerer’s claims can be challenged or reversed by other sorcerers. After West’s attempt to construct a metaphorical interpretation of Muedan assertions that the lions prowling their villages are fabricated by sorcerers is disputed by his Muedan research collaborators, West realized that ethnography and sorcery indeed have much in common. Rather than abandoning ethnography, West draws inspiration from this connection, arguing that anthropologists, along with the people they study, can scarcely avoid interpreting the world they inhabit, and that we are all, inescapably, ethnographic sorcerers.

Genres: Anthropology, Ethnography, Nonfiction, School, Africa, Psychology, Social Science

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mastery example of self-reflecive ethnography that usefully and deftly explores what it is that ethnography is and how the practice is co-constructed and understood in the field.

[Jan D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The basic setup is “old fashioned ethnography”: Harry West researches sorcery among the Mundean people in northern Mozambique. He discusses what is "real" or "metaphor", the role of the ethnographer and their (sorcery?) powers, and the role of colonialism in relation to sorcery.

The book consists of short chapters that combine theory and observations from fieldwork and the book itself is not very long. This, I guess, might makes it an interesting book for teaching or, if you have a longer train ride or an afternoon in the sun for reading.

[David Shepard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting examination of the power of language to create reality and influence behavior, as well as what it means to study how the symbolic and metaphorical bleed into what I would consider a tangible, literal reality. I found the most interesting part the author's presentation of a response to the question: How do people navigate a world that is both physical and a reflection of forces and powers that are not physical but conceptual? I found the book excellent material to investigate my belief that we all carry within us maps of the forces real and metaphorical that constitute the worlds that we inhabit.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly quick ethnography I read as part of a theory course. I really enjoyed West's writing style, especially how self-reflexive he was without trivializing any beliefs or practices.

[Luiz Gandelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book about an even more interesting ethnographic project, and West tackles a difficult idea, sorcery, with a nuanced understanding and open mindedness that is to admire. I truly enjoyed reading this book, and it was as captivating as it was perplexing. Understanding how sorcery played a role in the life of the people of Mueda, and seeing how that same understanding can apply to components in my life, helped me understand not only sorcery, but distinct beliefs, and that which I cannot grasp, as it manifests itself in the lives of those around me. I felt that my own understanding was morphing as West's was throughout the book, and like I truly accompanied him on his journey across the Muedan plateau, a sign of not only impressive writing, but of a beautiful, interesting story.

[Amara Grajewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully insightful and beautifully written. West tosses and turns with the responsibility and humility of being an anthropologists in an earnestly honest way. I was left hanging by the ending and wished that West had continued his insight on his seemingly out of character choice. It was such an abrupt diversion from the style of the narrative that I have to imagine it was intentional. While I appreciate the choice to form my own questions and grapple with the possible answers, I would have preferred his personal reaction to the situation. Regardless, this is a must read for any budding anthropologist who is nearing their first experience in fieldwork.

[zeynep]

idk anything about anthropology. so is sorcery real?

[Serafina Pike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favourite book I've read for class this semester!

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gifted by Giulia my anthropologist friend :) is this an ethnography, or memoir, or just an "essay" by an anthropologist?

I don't think I'm qualified to write a review for it. The whole book reads like a spell. I particularly love how, in the chapter "ethnographic sorcery", West directly encounters the common critics for anthropological work. There is a radical humility there - it is ok to have your own interpretation and visions, because that can never be the final interpretation and visions. We are all remaking and unmaking each other's world.

[Alix J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written, highly readable, reflexive but not self-indulgent. It's bite-sized, so great for teaching performativity, ethnographic writing, and understandings of the "really real".

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Explores sorcery in Mozambique, ethnographic fiction, and metaphor.