Fusion of the Worlds: An Ethnography of Possession among the Songhay of Niger

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University Of Chicago Press

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Studio: University Of Chicago Press
Theatrical Release Date: Dec 31, 1969
DVD Release Date: Dec 31, 1969
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ASIN: 0226775453
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Sales Rank: 448531

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Editorial Review from Product Description:

DIV"This ethnography is more like a film than a book, so well does Stoller evoke the color, sight, sounds, and movements of Songhay possession ceremonies."?iChoice/i BRBR"Stoller brilliantly recreates the reality of spirit presence; hosts are what they mediate, and spirits become flesh and blood in the 'fusion' with human existence. . . . An excellent demonstration of the benefits of a new genre of ethnographic writing. It expands our understanding of the harsh world of Songhay mediums and sorcerers."?Bruce Kapferer, iAmerican Ethnologist/i BRBR"A vivid story that will appeal to a wide audience. . . . The voices of individual Songhay are evident and forceful throughout the story. . . . Like a painter, [Stoller] is concerned with the rich surface of things, with depicting images, evoking sensations, and enriching perceptions. . . . He has succeeded admirably." ?Michael Lambek, iAmerican Anthropologist/i BRBR"Events (ceremonies and life histories) are evoked in cinematic style. . . . [This book is] approachable and absorbing?it is well written, uncluttered by jargon and elegantly structured."?Richard Fardon, iTimes Higher Education Supplement/iBRBR"Compelling, insightful, rich in ethnographic detail, and worthy of becoming a classic in the scholarship on Africa."?Aidan Southall, iAfrican Studies Review/i/DIV

Amazon Customer Reviews:

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

Fusion of the Worlds! Excellente!, 2005-10-12
I would just like to say that I am taking a class on Magic Religions and Witchcraft from Paul Stoller at the present time. He is very insightful when it comes to not only his teachings, but his writings as well. In the Fusion of the Worlds, there are things I have never learned about before, even being an Anthropology major. His way of describing certain aspects of spirit possession in detail as well as giving first hand experience stories give it more of a flair. If you are interested in learning something new, you should definetely open your mind to this!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

The fusions, 2002-10-02
I am currently taking the anthropology class of Dr. Stoller (Magic, Religion Witchcraft. He gave the class quite a few great books to read, including his. From reading his book, I learned what the title actually means: the social world, the one we live in the world of the spirits. These are fused when the spirits leave their world and come in contact with ours by taking a medium's body, to transmite a message. Its the possesion of the body and mind, the fusion we cant see, while the medium sees the natural supernatural. I recommend his book and his teachings!

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Possesion beyond watching the exorcist, 1999-12-15
Stoller does an excellent job explaining the various types of possesion ceremonies among the Songhay culture. It's fascinating to picture how the spirits of the outside world can enter a mediums body to basically communicate with the people of Songhay regarding good and bad things occuring within the community. These people turn to the spirit world turn recieve help with settling disputes, having a good harvest in the future, venting their hate for colonialism,etc. But, not only does Stoller do a good job of explaining these various types of spirits, but he also does a wonderful job of interpreting many fascinating ceremonies that he attended. You feel like your actually there, witnessing a spirit taking over a medium's body. I am currently a student of Stoller's, and it was our assignment to read this book. I liked it very much I am continuing my reasearch of spirit-possesion in the future to learn all I can about a subject that's so intriguing. Stoller's book is awesome!