The Sorcerer's Burden
The Ethnographic Saga of a Global Family
Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology, Fiction & Literature
| Author: | Paul Stoller | ISBN: | 9783319318059 |
| Publisher: | Springer International Publishing | Publication: | September 24, 2016 |
| Imprint: | Palgrave Macmillan | Language: | English |
| Author: | Paul Stoller |
| ISBN: | 9783319318059 |
| Publisher: | Springer International Publishing |
| Publication: | September 24, 2016 |
| Imprint: | Palgrave Macmillan |
| Language: | English |
This book emerges from the author's 35 years of research and thought about the Songhay people of Niger. This ethnographic novel follows the life of Omar Dia, the oldest son of a West African sorcerer. When his father falls ill and dies, the great sorcerer vomits a small metal chain onto his chest. Following the path of his ancestors, Omar swallows the chain, becoming his father's successor, which means that he takes on the sorcerer's burden. The book also describes how custodians of traditional knowledge are creatively adapting to the forces of globalization—all in a highly accessible narrative text.
This book emerges from the author's 35 years of research and thought about the Songhay people of Niger. This ethnographic novel follows the life of Omar Dia, the oldest son of a West African sorcerer. When his father falls ill and dies, the great sorcerer vomits a small metal chain onto his chest. Following the path of his ancestors, Omar swallows the chain, becoming his father's successor, which means that he takes on the sorcerer's burden. The book also describes how custodians of traditional knowledge are creatively adapting to the forces of globalization—all in a highly accessible narrative text.
