Dissecting diviners: on positivism, trance-formations, and the unreliable informant

Abstract

Archaeologists and other social scientists in southern Africa are relying increasingly on oral data obtained from local communities. Positivistic approaches to oral data borrowed from mainstream historiography have provided powerful interpretations of the past. However, this approach is less likely to succeed when dealing with certain categories of non-western informants. This is highlighted by Jolly's recent criticism of some of my work on African diviners. In answering his criticisms I argue that an alternative paradigm based on interpretative anthropology is more constructive when researching the statements of African diviners. The limitations of positivism in analysing social change with specific reference to trance as experienced by Nguni diviners and San shamans respectively, is also discussed.

To cite this article: Prins, F.E. 1999. Dissecting diviners: on positivism, trance-formations, and the unreliable informant. Natal Museum Journal of Humanities11: 43-62.