Questioning and answering with Elísio Macamo

If the social sciences today are in need of “a new language for theorizing” (Connell 2007: 383), African Studies provide an interesting field to spell out the specificities of that challenge. How does one navigate the divergent currents of universalism and relativism? How does one deal with normativity? How does one critique, replace and transform concepts and theories derived from “Northern” contexts, and how does one develop more inclusive bases for “intercultural dialogue in conditions of diversity” (Wiredu 2004: 13)? Elísio Macamo, professor at the Centre for African Studies Basel (CASB), has become a fascinating figure in these debates, not least because he straddles some of the most unlikely divides. Drawing inspiration from both postcolonial theorists and sociological classics, from positivists and constructivists alike, Macamo has written on issues as diverse as modernity (Macamo 2005, 2010a, 2010b, 2010c, 2012, 2010), religion (2001, 2003, 2004a, 2004b, 2011a), development policy (Macamo 2006, 2010, Macamo 2014a, 2014b), risk (Bloemertz et al. 2012; Macamo 2015a), social movements (Macamo 2011b), political violence (Macamo 2014c, 2016a), African philosophy (1999; 2014; 2015b), Africa as an object of knowledge (Macamo 1999, 2014d, 2016b), urbanity (Macamo 2013; Obrist, Arlt, and Macamo 2013), youth (Macamo 2010), and technology (Macamo & Neubert 2014), and has given countless talks and interviews on further topics (see e.g. Adogame 2008). Those who have had the chance to hear Macamo speak at development conferences know about his ability to draw in different audiences to gradually entangle their humanistic concern for Africa into epistemological problems and self-interrogation.

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Stichproben - Wiener Zeitschrift für kritische Afrikastudien / Vienna Journal of African Studies

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Stichproben - Wiener Zeitschrift für kritische Afrikastudien / Vienna Journal of African Studies