Moral Power

Koen Stroeken is an associate professor of Africanist anthropology at Ghent University. He studies the moral cosmologies underlying medicine and social media.

“Although challenging to follow at times, Moral Power…will certainly stimulate debate on ideas and methods within medical anthropology. Through rich ethnographic vignettes that focus on Sukuma healers and patients, as well as his own initiation as a Sukuma healer, Stroeken challenges the anthropological discourse on witchcraft. Rather than focusing on Sukuma cosmology, Stroeken examines social exchanges of gift and sacrifice and the moral power of magic and witchcraft.”  ·  Medical Anthropology Quarterly“…[Stroeken’s] ethnographically-driven but conceptually-powerful book should give anthropologists some pause to re-examine their assumptions and seek unexpected connections. That is, it should cause us the good kind of trouble.”  ·  Anthropology Review"Koen Stroeken’s work is fascinating, thought-provoking, theoretically challenging and ethnographically penetrating. It is anthropology, yes, and very true anthropology for that matter, but it is also a deep and unsettling experience finding its voice."  ·  Per Brandström, Uppsala University"The book is thoroughly engaging and a timely contribution to the literature on witchcraft. It may be found too provocative and controversial for some, but I appreciated the analysis as a useful interrogation of the 'certainties' of much anthropological theory and practice in the study of magic and witchcraft."  ·  Joanne Thobeka Wreford, University of Capetown

• AcknowledgementsPrefaceIntroduction: The meaning of witchcraftChapter 1. Why magic works: Systemic healingChapter 2. The dancer: Gift and sacrificeChapter 3. Four forms of social exchangeChapter 4. The witch: Moral power and intrusionChapter 5. Divination: A healing journeyChapter 6. The ‘pure’ reason of witch killingChapter 7. Spirit possession: Incarnating moral powerChapter 8. Magic, ritual and the sensesReferencesIndex