Surrounded by The Spirits
Thematic Tour and Lecture Series
Paul Stoller: Wisdom from the Edge
In conjunction with the West Chester University Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology's exhibition, "Surrounded by the Spirits," a special lecture and book signing by WCU Professor of Anthropology Paul Stoller was held on October 19, 2023. A renowned scholar of Africa and the African Diaspora, whose 30-year career with the Songhay of Niger focuses on spirit possession and wellbeing, Stoller discusses the importance of learning from mentors and ancestors, the craft of ethnographic writing, and holistic wellbeing.
Exhibition Curation as an MA Thesis, with Virginia Vintson
WCU Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology Director Michael A. Di Giovine speaks to Graduate Assistant Curator Virginia Vintson about her work on the exhibition, "Surrounded by the Spirits: Paul Stoller and the Songhay Journey Towards Wellbeing." The exhibition work was Vintson's thesis capstone for an MA in public history.
Converging Experiences in the Peace Corps, with Paul Stoller and Esther Wyss-Flamm
What is Health? Dissecting West African Healing Practices with Dr. Zeinab Baba
Dr. Zeinab "Zee" Baba, Associate Professor of Public Health Sciences at WCU, discusses the varieties of healing practices in West Africa--from herbal to spiritual to biomedical. A highlight are the personal anecdotes, attention to cultural concepts and economic sensibilities, and multi-cultural perspectives she employs. Though trained in cosmopolitan biomedicine, she states, "The reason why these alternative forms of healing continue to be practiced is because they work".