Witchcraft and a Life in the New South Africa

This biography casts new light on scholarly understandings of the connections between politics, witchcraft and AIDS in South Africa.

List of contents

1. Introduction; 2. Early experiences, initial suspicions; 3. Becoming a man; 4. 'Then I did not believe'; 5. 'My second initiation'; 6. 'I see things differently now'; 7. Seeking revenge; 8. AIDS and Oedipus; 9. Reconstructing an ideal life; 10. Last words.

About the author

Isak Niehaus is currently Lecturer in the Department of Anthropology at Brunel University. He is the author of Witchcraft, Power and Politics: Exploring the Occult in the South African Lowveld (2001) and Magic! AIDS Review 2009 with Fraser G. McNeill. He is a member of the council of the Royal Anthropological Institute. Niehaus has done extensive fieldwork in South African rural areas.

Summary

Casting new light on scholarly understandings of the connections between politics, witchcraft and AIDS in South Africa, this biography reconstructs the life of Jimmy Mohale, who studied and worked as a teacher during the anti-apartheid struggle and died from an undiagnosed sickness, attributing his misfortunes to witchcraft.

Product details

• Authors: Isak Niehaus, Isak (Brunel University) Niehaus, Niehaus Isak
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.11.2018
• EAN: 9781108442695
• ISBN: 978-1-108-44269-5
• No. of pages: 265
• Series: The International African Library; The International African Library
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > Politics, society, business > Biographies, autobiographies; Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); Biography: general, Witchcraft, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography, Republic of South Africa, Social and cultural anthropology, African History, Hiv / Aids: Social Aspects, Medicine: HIV/AIDS, retroviral diseases