'What kind of witchcraft is this?' Development, magic and spiritual ontologies. Issue 2 (4th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Thomas Aneurin; Murrey, Amber; Leck, Hayley
• Is Part Of: Third world thematics. Volume 2:Issue 2/3(2017)
• Page Start: 141
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2017-05-04
• Subjects: Witchcraft -- magic -- spiritual ontologies -- spiritual landscapes -- development; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Politics and government -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Periodicals; 338.90091724
• DOI: 10.1080/23802014.2017.1411209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-9978

Abstract

Abstract: This collection represents a significant intervention in the space cohabited by witchcraft, spirit worlds, and development – a realm frequently marginalised by development practice. Through a diverse set of scholarly and methodological orientations, the contributions draw on contrasting case studies (spanning the local, national, and borderlands) to explore the current and possible future co-productions of development through various forms of spirituality. They do so with attention to the paradoxes, nuances, and complexities of these intersections. This introduction explores some of the cross-cutting themes arising from these complexities, including: scale; limitations of Euro-dominant conceptualisations of development; Othering of polytheistic, multi-theistic, and non-theistic spiritual ontologies; entanglements of spirituality, politics, and power; and co-productions of new forms of development. We argue that thinking through these various cross-cutting themes provides a multitude of possibilities for decolonising the development project.