1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910462320603321

Autore

Gordon David M. <1970->

Titolo

Invisible agents [[electronic resource] ] : spirits in a Central African history / / David M. Gordon

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Athens, : Ohio University Press, 2012

ISBN

0-8214-4439-5

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (317 p.)

Collana

New African histories series

Disciplina

968.94

Soggetti

Christianity and culture - Zambia - History

Religion and politics - Zambia - History

Bemba (African people) - Religion

Electronic books.

Zambia History Religious aspects

Zambia History Autonomy and independence movements Religious aspects

Zambia Politics and government To 1964

Zambia Politics and government 1964-1991

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Nota di contenuto

Introduction: Seeing invisible worlds -- The passion of Chitimukulu -- Christian witches -- Satan in the city -- A new Jerusalem -- The dawn -- Devils of war -- God in heaven, Kaunda on earth -- A nation reborn -- Conclusion: The spirit realm of agency.

Sommario/riassunto

Invisible Agents shows how personal and deeply felt  spiritual beliefs can inspire social movements and influence historical change. Conventional historiography concentrates on the secular, materialist, or moral sources of political agency. Instead, David M. Gordon argues, when people perceive spirits as exerting power in the visible world, these beliefs form the basis for individual and collective actions. Focusing on the history of the south-central African country of Zambia during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, his analysis invites reflection on political and religious