The Politics of the Dead in Zimbabwe 2000-2020: Bones, Rumours & Spirits

Joost Fontein's book explores the complexities of human remains in Zimbabwe's postcolonial politics, challenging current scholarship on memory, commemoration, and the changing significance of traditional death practices. It examines how the incompleteness of death is politically productive and is deeply intertwined with the stylistics of postcolonial power and politics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 366 pages
Publication date: 17 October 2023
Publisher: James Currey

A groundbreaking and thought-provoking exploration of the anthropology of death and postcolonial politics, this book delves into the intricate complexities of human remains in Zimbabwe's postcolonial milieu. Written by Joost Fontein, a renowned Professor of Anthropology at the University of Johannesburg, the book challenges prevailing scholarship on memory, commemoration, and the evolving significance of traditional death practices. Instead, it examines the political implications of human remains as material substances, as duplicitous rumors, and as returning spirits.

By linking the indeterminacy of human substances to the productive but precarious uncertainties of rumors and spirits, the book sheds light on how the incompleteness of death is politically productive and ultimately stems from the problematic, entangled excessivities of human material and immaterial existence. It further highlights the deep interconnectedness of death with the stylistics of postcolonial power and politics.

Throughout the book, Fontein employs a rich and interdisciplinary approach, drawing on insights from various fields such as anthropology, history, and political science. He explores the historical and cultural contexts in which human remains have played a significant role in shaping Zimbabwe's postcolonial politics, from the struggles for independence to the recent election violence. Through detailed case studies and analysis, Fontein demonstrates how human remains have become powerful tools in the hands of different actors, both within and outside of Zimbabwe.

One of the key themes of the book is the ways in which human remains are used to construct and contest narratives of the past. Fontein argues that the political significance of human remains extends beyond their materiality and can be found in the ways in which they are interpreted, circulated, and commemorated. He explores how rumors and spirits can manipulate and distort the truth, creating false narratives that serve particular political interests.

At the same time, Fontein recognizes the potential for human remains to be used as a means of resistance and empowerment. He highlights the ways in which communities have used human remains to assert their rights and reclaim their histories, particularly in the context of land disputes and massacres. By challenging dominant narratives and demanding justice, these communities have used human remains to reclaim their agency and shape the political landscape of Zimbabwe.

Another important aspect of the book is the role of technology in shaping the politics of the dead. Fontein explores how advances in medical technology and forensic science have transformed the way in which human remains are investigated, analyzed, and presented. He argues that these technologies have created new opportunities for the manipulation and distortion of evidence, as well as for the creation of new forms of memorialization and commemoration.

In conclusion, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the anthropology of death, postcolonial politics, and the complex intersections of power, memory, and the human body. Through its innovative and challenging approach, Fontein provides fresh insights into the ways in which human remains are intertwined in the politics of the dead in Zimbabwe. By examining the complexities of human remains as material substances, rumors, and spirits, the book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the ongoing struggles for justice, reconciliation, and the representation of the past in postcolonial societies.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847013644