Abstract
This study investigates the gendered dynamics of participation in Magic: The Gathering (Magic) communities in Johannesburg, South Africa, with particular attention to women’s experiences. The study draws on six months of ethnographic fieldwork in Johannesburg, including participant observation at retail stores that host Magic events and online platforms, as well as semi-structured interviews. This study explores how broader social, economic, and symbolic structures shape inclusion and exclusion within these spaces. Further, the study engages with anthropological literature on play and leisure, communities of practice, gender performativity, and symbolic capital, situating these frameworks within both global geek culture and the specific socio-economic context of South Africa. The analysis spans three key terrains: public and communal game spaces, the material economy of card ownership, and the digital platforms through which Magic is increasingly played and discussed. Each of these domains reveals how women must navigate intersecting barriers related to safety, legitimacy and visibility. Thus, the study underscores how Magic operates not just as a game but as a cultural site in which legitimacy and belonging are shaped and navigated. Ultimately, this study shows the way in which a variety of intersecting factors act to isolate women from participation in Magic communities.