Investigating African pentecostalism: the problems, prospects and rewards of a multi-sited ethnography

Abstract

Though undoubtedly one of the preferred approaches in the study of Religion, especially in cross-cultural and multinational contexts, the prospects of Multi-Sited Ethnography (MSE) present many intricacies and challenges when following some study patterns and trails in the study of Religion. In my experience in the study of African Pentecostalism, I focused on the innovations and creativities in healing practices of African Pentecostalism in Kampala (Uganda) and Nairobi (Kenya). The experience was characterized by recurrent need to (re)negotiate access, limited resources and inconsistency in trails being followed. In this chapter, I discuss the intricacies and strategies of MSE for further methodological reflections and innovations in the study of African Pentecostalism and other related fields.