Madumo, a Man Bewitched is a 2000 non-fiction anthropology book written by Australian social scientist and professor Adam Ashforth.
Synopsis The book chronicles Ashforth's experiences with Madumo, a South African man that believes that witchcraft is to blame for his bad luck. Ashforth, who has been friends with Madumo for many years, agrees to help finance his exorcism and healing with an inyanga.
Reception Critical reception for Madumo has been positive, with Publishers Weekly calling the story was "compelling".Nonfiction review: Madumo, a Man Bewitched Publishers Weekly Frank Salamone of Iona College praised the book, saying it was "a fine example of blurred genres and the way in which such an account can illuminate important cultural issues".Salamone, Frank A.. "Madumo: A Man Bewitched. (Book Reviews)." Africa Today. Indiana University Press. 2001. Salon.com wrote that Madumo was "a warm, colorful book", citing Ashforth's credibility as a highlight of the book.“The Burning of Bridget Cleary” and “Madumo: A Man Bewitched” Salon.com The Village Voice praised the book's descriptions and social commentary.Breaking the Spell Village Voice
Kirkus Reviews stated that the book was "a persuasive and interesting account that gets lost in the drawn-out and diffused story of an unorthodox healing".Review: Madumo Kirkus Reviews Suomen Antropologi expressed concern over Ashforth vocalizing Madumo's inner thoughts, saying "How can Ashforth know exactly what Madumo is thinking and the peculiar logic which informs his thoughts?"Laterza, Vito. The Ethnographic Novel: Another Literary Skeleton in the Anthropological Closet? Suomen Antropologi: Journal of the Finnish Anthropological Society. 32 (2) Summer 2007, p. 132
References