The Ambivalence Of Power Charismatic Christianity And Occult Forces In Urban Tanzania

Abstract

In this article I explore parallels and dynamic interplays between charismatic Christianity and «traditional» understandings of mysterious power as related to an occult sphere in the city of Iringa in central Tanzania. I discuss how notions of power as constructive and necessary yet also dangerous and potentially destructive are adopted into and partly transformed by charismatic dis-courses on the realm of darkness and related ritual practices of empowerment, rupture and spiri-tual struggle. In the end I argue that the relationship between charismatic Christianity and tradi-tional religion/ culture may better be grasped in terms of coevalness, intersections and ongoing mutual influence than temporalising difference.