Marianne Skjortnes is Professor in Social Anthropology at the School of Mission and Theology in Stavanger, Norway. She has had extensive experience working with development issues in several African countries, particularly in Madagascar, where she has lived, taught, and researched for several decades. She has published widely in academic journals on cultural and social processes of change in Madagascar, on gender issues in a global context, and on development-related questions. She is currently involved in research on religion and development.

• Contents: Introduction - A Life-Long Relationship – The Resurgence of Religion – The Setting – Bara Becoming Malagasy: A Story of Change in Southwestern Madagascar – Life Stories on Restoring Human Dignity – Urban Citizens in Search of a Living: A Story of Changes in and Around Antsirabe – Life Stories About Finding New Foundations – Restoring Dignity.

Marianne Skjortnes is Professor in Social Anthropology at the School of Mission and Theology in Stavanger, Norway. She has had extensive experience working with development issues in several African countries, particularly in Madagascar, where she has lived, taught, and researched for several decades. She has published widely in academic journals on cultural and social processes of change in Madagascar, on gender issues in a global context, and on development-related questions. She is currently involved in research on religion and development.

• Contents: Introduction - A Life-Long Relationship – The Resurgence of Religion – The Setting – Bara Becoming Malagasy: A Story of Change in Southwestern Madagascar – Life Stories on Restoring Human Dignity – Urban Citizens in Search of a Living: A Story of Changes in and Around Antsirabe – Life Stories About Finding New Foundations – Restoring Dignity.

Marianne Skjortnes is Professor in Social Anthropology at the School of Mission and Theology in Stavanger, Norway. She has had extensive experience working with development issues in several African countries, particularly in Madagascar, where she has lived, taught, and researched for several decades. She has published widely in academic journals on cultural and social processes of change in Madagascar, on gender issues in a global context, and on development-related questions. She is currently involved in research on religion and development.

• Contents: Introduction - A Life-Long Relationship – The Resurgence of Religion – The Setting – Bara Becoming Malagasy: A Story of Change in Southwestern Madagascar – Life Stories on Restoring Human Dignity – Urban Citizens in Search of a Living: A Story of Changes in and Around Antsirabe – Life Stories About Finding New Foundations – Restoring Dignity.