My scholarship is anchored in ethnographic research that engages grassroots manifestations and meanings of cultural phenomena. I have been conducting research in the Republic of Benin for over 20 years, and my work has focused on gender relations, marriage, religion, witchcraft, race, and globalization.

More recently, I have begun studying new Christian movements in Armenia.

Research on Religion in Benin

Devotee of Mami Wata Deity
A Spiritual Healing
Celestial Church of Christ
Sharing a Ritual Meal

     

     

    Publications

    Books and Edited Collections

    2020. (Guest Editor). “Stranger Races: Reflections on Alterity in Constructions of the Self,” special issue of Anthropological Forum 30(4).

    2018. African Science: Witchcraft, Vodun, and Healing in Southern Benin. University of Wisconsin Press.

    2011. Power and Paradox: Authority, Insecurity, and Creativity in Fon Gender Relations. Africa World Press.

    2008. (Co-Editor with David Berliner) “Men Doing Anthropology of Women,” special issue of Men and Masculinities 11(2).

    Articles

    2020. “Alter(native) Magic: Race and the Other in Beninese Witchcraft.” Special issue of Anthropological Forum 30(4):360-376.

    2020. “Introduction: Facing the Other.” Special issue of Anthropological Forum 30(4):321-340.

    2016. “Vodun, Spiritual Insecurity, and Religious Importation in Benin.” Journal of Religion in Africa 46(4):453-483.

    2016. “Culture Summary: Fon.” New Haven: Human Relations Area Files

    2008. “Polygyny and Christian Marriage in Africa: The Case of Benin.” African Studies Review 51(2):51-74.

    2008. “The ‘Other’ Gender?: Reflections on Fieldwork in Benin.” Men and Masculinities 11(2):164-173.

    2008. (with David Berliner). “Introduction to Special Section on Men Doing Anthropology of Women.” Men and Masculinities 11(2):135-144.

    2007. “Good and Bad Witches: The Transformation of Witchcraft in Benin.” West Africa Review 10:1-27.

    Invited Essays, Book Chapters, and Blogs

    2018. “’Hello, Mister Doug!’ An Anthropologist Revisits his Armenian Peace Corps Village.” Anthropology News website, December 3, 2018. DOI: 10.1111/AN.1049.

    2018. “Universal Witchcraft and the Problem of Categories.” University of Wisconsin Press Blog.

    2018. “African Vodun in the Age of Globalization.” Anthropology News website, September 11, 2018. DOI: 10.1111/AN.961

    2008. “Critical Thinking in Anthropology.” In Critical Thinking in College, George W. Rainbolt and Sandra L. Dwyer (eds), 246-248. Thomson/Wadsworth.

    Book Reviews

    2018. An Ethnography of a Vodu Shrine in Southern Togo: Of Spirit, Slave and Sea, by Eric J. Montgomery and Christian N. Vannier. American Ethnologist 45(2): 308-309.

    2015. Witchcraft and a Life in the New South Africa, by Isak Niehaus. American Anthropologist 117(3):616-617.

    2011. Allah Made Us: Sexual Outlaws in an Islamic African City, by Rudolf Pell Gaudio. Australian Journal of Anthropology 22(2): 284-286.

    2009. Polygamy: A Cross-Cultural Analysis, by Miriam Koktvedgaard Zeitzen. Social Anthropology / Anthropologie Sociale 17(4): 510-511.