About the author
Roy Willis is described by his publisher as a veteran anthropologist who also identifies as a neo-shaman and paranormal healer. His book Some Spirits Heal, Others Only Dance: A Journey Into Human Selfhood in an African Village, published by Routledge, is based on five months of fieldwork in a remote part of northern Zambia. It uses that fieldwork to examine local ideas of spirit and selfhood, asking where the boundaries of 'self' lie and what concepts of spirit reveal about human identity more broadly. The book combines ethnographic method with the author's own participation in the practices he studied, situating it between conventional academic anthropology and a more personally engaged, experiential account. It is aimed at readers interested in African ethnography, the anthropology of healing, and questions of selfhood and spirit possession.
📖 Where to start with Roy Willis
💬 What our editors say about Roy Willis's books
“Willis and Curry deliver a sophisticated anthropological critique that strips away both mainstream dismissal and modern astrological pretensions. While intellectually stimulating, this book does not suit readers seeking practical…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Astrology, Science and Culture: Pulling Down the Moon
“This compelling volume successfully repositions astrology as a significant cultural force rather than merely a pseudo-science. The authors trace its origins from pre-history, offering a robust defense of its relevance in…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Astrology, Science and Culture: Pulling Down the Moon
“Willis presents a compelling, albeit dense, exploration of Zambian spirit worlds that may alienate casual readers seeking light entertainment. The text demands engagement with complex anthropological concepts and intense…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Some Spirits Heal, Others Only Dance: A Journey Into Human Selfhood in an African Village
📋 Editions by Roy Willis in the catalog
| Edition | Year | Publisher | Pages | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astrology, Science and Culture: Pulling Down the Moon | 2004 | Routledge | 176 | 9781859736821 |
| Astrology, Science and Culture: Pulling Down the Moon | 2004 | Routledge | 176 | 9781859736876 |
| Some Spirits Heal, Others Only Dance: A Journey Into Human Selfh | — | Routledge | 234 | 9781859732830 |
| Some Spirits Heal, Others Only Dance: A Journey Into Human Selfh | 1999 | Routledge | 234 | 9781859732885 |
