Mimesis and Alterity: Michel Leiris's Ethnography and Poetics of Spirit Possession
French Studies July 1, 2008 Irene Albers
Abstract The title of Leiris's diary L'Afrique fantôme has mostly been understood as a critique of European Africanist discourse. However, Leiris does a lot more than just denounce (his own) exoticism. This article argues that the title of his diary has to be read with reference to the French Surrealist and ethnographer's experience during his stay in Gondar while studying the zar , a popular...