Revisiting the Azande

Abstract

This introduction to a special section, “Revisiting the Azande,” summarizes the historical context and theoretical insights of the classic ethnography Witchcraft, oracles, and magic among the Azande, by E. E. Evans-Pritchard. It describes developments in Zandeland over the century since the book was written and provides synopses of the articles in the collection. The Azande have lived through a turbulent century; witchcraft and oracular practices, and “Zande tradition,” have been steadfast but nevertheless hard to pin down and constantly changing tools for Zande people as they have managed the upheavals.