Surrounded by the Spirits: Paul Stoller and the Songhay Journey Towards Wellbeing
September 29, 2023 – December 1, 2024
Opening reception: September 29, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Honoring the life work of renowned anthropologist Paul Stoller, Surrounded by the Spirits: Paul Stoller and the Songhay Journey Towards Wellbeing invites us to experience the culture of West Africa, and gain profound insights into holistic healing practices that place us in harmony with the social, natural and spiritual worlds. With rare artifacts from Niger and Ghana, the exhibition examines the varied healing practices of the Songhay people of Niger—including spirit possession, witchcraft and divination, Islamic religious devotion, and traditional medicine. A second retrospective gallery looks at the life of Stoller, who trained as a Songhay sorcerer’s apprentice, conducted urban ethnography among the West African diaspora, and is internationally recognized for his evocative and accessible writing style. A professor of anthropology at West Chester University for his entire career, Stoller is the author of over 15 books and the recipient of numerous awards including the Anders Retzius Medal given by the King of Sweden, the highest honor in anthropology.
Credits
Curator: Michael A. Di Giovine, Professor of Anthropology; Director, Museum of Anthropology
and Archaeology
Graduate Curator: Virginia Vintson, MA Candidate in History
Assistant Curator: David Blackburn, Director, Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
Exhibit Design: Thomas Haughey, Associate Professor of Theater; Exhibits Designer, Museum of Anthropology
and Archaeology
Graphic Design: Stephanie Thompson, Publications Assistant, WCU Graphics and Printing
Exhibition Design Consultant: Karen Watkins, Associate Professor of Art + Design
Student Co-Curators: William Babitts, Isabella Campese, Allison Magerr, Mary Moyer, Emily Nammavong, Katherine
Noll, Sadie Patterson, Maclaren Remy, Mayur Suresh, Harrison Warren, Matt Wileyto,
Kevin Wilson, Sydney Wise
Curatorial Interns: Kaitlyn Murray (Ursinus); Karthik Murugan and Caleb Beck (Downingtown East HS)
Virtual Exhibition Designers: Tom Pantazes and Hannah Glatt, Office of Digital Learning and Innovation
In the News
Enter the Virtual Exhibition
Click on the + for instructions on how to navigate the 3D map, and click the arrow to enter
ORAL HISTORIES
Paul Stoller’s Life: An Oral History
THEMATIC TOUR AND LECTURE SERIES
Opening Speeches, "Surrounded by the Spirits: Paul Stoller & the Songhay Journey Towards Wellbeing"