Bewitching Development: Witchcraft and the Reinvention of Development in Neoliberal Kenya

摘要: These days, development inspires scant trust in the West. For critics who condemn centralized efforts to plan African societies as latter-day imperialism, such plans too closely reflect their roots colonial rule and neoliberal economics. But proponents of this pessimistic view often ignore how significant concept has become for Africans themselves. In "Bewitching Development", James Howard Smith presents a close ethnographic account people Taita Hills Kenya have appropriated made sense thought practice, focusing on complex ways that connects with changing understandings witchcraft.Similar magic, development's promise better world elicits both hope suspicion from Wataita. shows unforeseen changes wrought by - greater wealth some, dashed hopes many more foster moral debates express occult terms. By carefully chronicling beliefs actions diverse community frustrated youths nostalgic seniors, duplicitous preachers thought-provoking witch doctors Development" vividly depicts social life formerly foreign ideas practices postcolonial Africa.