An Archive of Possibilities: Healing and Repair in Democratic Republic of Congo

In An Archive of Possibilities, Rachel Marie Niehuus examines the healing and repair practices of the Congolese people in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on their innovative and imaginative responses to 250 years of displacement, enslavement, death, and chronic war. She explores the renegotiation of relationships with land, the affective experience of living in insecurity, the hospital as a site for socialization of pain, necropolitical healing, and the uses of prophesy to create collective futures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2024
Publisher: Duke University Press

In her captivating book, "An Archive of Possibilities," anthropologist and surgeon Rachel Marie Niehuus delves into the realm of healing and repair in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region marked by a staggering 250 years of Black displacement, enslavement, death, and chronic war. Niehuus contends that in this context of pervasive violence, the Congolese people have ingeniously devised innovative and imaginative strategies to navigate and recover from the repetitive harm they endure. Through meticulous ethnographic fieldwork and the insightful Black critical theory of Achille Mbembe, Christina Sharpe, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, and other scholars, Niehuus explores a range of compelling topics. These include the renegotiation of relationships with land as a means of public healing, the emotional toll of living in constant insecurity, the hospital as a platform for the socialization of pain, the potential for necropolitical healing, and the utilization of prophecy to shape collective futures. By examining the radical nature of cohabiting with violence, Niehuus compellingly demonstrates that Congolese practices of healing envision and articulate alternative modes of existence within the global framework of antiblackness.

Introduction:
"An Archive of Possibilities" offers a profound exploration of the resilience and creativity of the Congolese people in the face of immense adversity. Niehuus sheds light on the intricate ways in which they have adapted and thrived amidst a history of displacement, enslavement, and violence. Through her meticulous research and analysis, she highlights the remarkable capacity of the Congolese to find healing and meaning in the most challenging circumstances.

Violence as a Normal Part of Life:
Niehuus begins her book by emphasizing the pervasive nature of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. She argues that violence has become an integral part of everyday life for the Congolese people, shaping their relationships, livelihoods, and sense of security. Despite this daunting reality, Niehuus reveals how the Congolese have developed innovative and imaginative strategies to cope with and recover from the repetitive harm they encounter.

Innovative Practices of Healing:
One of the central themes of "An Archive of Possibilities" is the renegotiation of relationships with land as a form of public healing. Niehuus argues that the land holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the Congolese, and that their practices of healing are intimately connected to their relationship with the land. Through ethnographic fieldwork, she explores how the Congolese use rituals, ceremonies, and agricultural practices to mend their relationships with the land and heal from the trauma of displacement and war.

Affective Experience of Living in Insecurity:
Another important aspect of Niehuus's book is the emotional toll of living in constant insecurity. She argues that the Congolese people have developed a unique sense of resilience and adaptability in response to the ongoing threat of violence. Niehuus explores how the Congolese navigate the emotional landscape of insecurity, using humor, music, and storytelling to cope with the stress and trauma they experience.

Hospital as a Site for Socialization of Pain:
Niehuus also examines the hospital as a site for the socialization of pain. She argues that the hospital has become a central institution in the Congolese healthcare system, where individuals come to seek treatment for their physical and emotional wounds. However, Niehuus highlights how the hospital can also perpetuate the socialization of pain, as it often reinforces the hierarchies of power and privilege that exist in society.

Necropolitical Healing:
Niehuus explores the potential for necropolitical healing, which refers to the process of addressing the legacies of violence and trauma that have shaped society. She argues that necropolitical healing can be a powerful tool for rebuilding communities and promoting social justice. Through her analysis of the practices of necropolitical healing in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Niehuus demonstrates how the Congolese are using their experiences of violence to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

Prophesy as a Tool for Collective Futures:
Finally, Niehuus explores the use of prophecy to create collective futures. She argues that prophecy is a powerful tool for shaping social and political movements and for imagining alternative ways of living in a global regime of antiblackness. Niehuus explores how the Congolese use prophecy to navigate the challenges of the present and to create a more hopeful and inclusive future for themselves and their communities.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, "An Archive of Possibilities" is a groundbreaking work that offers a profound understanding of the healing and repair processes in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Niehuus demonstrates the remarkable resilience and creativity of the Congolese people in the face of immense adversity. Her book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of violence, healing, and social change in this region and offers a roadmap for promoting social justice and healing in other contexts of conflict and displacement.

Weight: 572g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478021018