Cart
Free Shipping in Australia
Proud to be B-Corp

Questioning Misfortune Susan Reynolds Whyte (University of Copenhagen)

Questioning Misfortune By Susan Reynolds Whyte (University of Copenhagen)

Questioning Misfortune by Susan Reynolds Whyte (University of Copenhagen)


$196.69
Condition - New
Only 2 left

Summary

This study of adversity and its social causes in rural Uganda considers how people deal with life's uncertainties - sickness, suffering, marital problems, failure, and death. It emphasises the fact that remedies often fail and that doubt and uncertainty persist.

Questioning Misfortune Summary

Questioning Misfortune: The Pragmatics of Uncertainty in Eastern Uganda by Susan Reynolds Whyte (University of Copenhagen)

Some of the most interesting ethnographies of experience are concerned to highlight the indeterminate nature of life. Questioning Misfortune is very much within this tradition. Based on a long-term study of adversity and its social causes in Bunyole, eastern Uganda, it considers the way in which people deal with uncertainties of life, such as sickness, suffering, marital problems, failure, and death. Divination may identify causes of misfortune, ranging from ancestors and spirits to sorcerers. Sufferers and their families will then try out a variety of remedial measures, including pharmaceuticals, sorcery antidotes, and sacrifices. But remedies often fail, and doubt and uncertainty persist. Even the commercialisation of biomedicine, and the peril of AIDS can be understood in terms of a pragmatics of uncertainty.

Questioning Misfortune Reviews

'The author's work, which expands over a period of twenty-five years, presents a unique style of anthropology of social experience ... The student of anthropology and other readers not familiar with the African culture would find this an excellent piece of work. The illustrations are selected well, and in themselves a great reflection of practical social experience. The text is up-to-date and references abound ... All in all, those with an interest in the subject of medical anthropology - especially in the African setting, whether observers, planners or teachers can expect to find much value in this book.' Social Science and Medicine
'This is a coherent, elegantly written book, full of nuanced insight, highly crafted, very usable as a text in medical anthropology but also accessible to a wide readership.' Anthropology Today

Table of Contents

Introduction; Part I. An Uncertain World: 1. Misfortune and uncertainty; 2. The pursuit of health and prosperity; 3. Going to ask; Part II. 'What You Cannot See': The Revelations of Spirits: 4. At home with the dead; 5. The fertility of clanship; 6. Little spirits and child survival; Part III. 'You Will Know Me': The Opacity of Humans: 7. Speaking of morality; 8. Substances and secrecy; Part IV. The Pragmatics of Uncertainty: 9. More questions; 10. Consequences. Notes; References; Index.

Additional information

NPB9780521594028
9780521594028
0521594022
Questioning Misfortune: The Pragmatics of Uncertainty in Eastern Uganda by Susan Reynolds Whyte (University of Copenhagen)
New
Hardback
Cambridge University Press
1998-01-08
274
Winner of Amaury Talbot Prize 1997
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a new book - be the first to read this copy. With untouched pages and a perfect binding, your brand new copy is ready to be opened for the first time

Customer Reviews - Questioning Misfortune