of Interpretations Magic and Witchcraft
ANTH 102 Understanding Other Cultures Fall 2006
Magic and Witchcraft
Underlying need for control of social and physical environments More than heuristic labels; they are real in the sense that they are actual classes of belief and practice related to problem of human control Magic and witchcraft work toward this end
The Magical Formula
Spoken and acted ritual (usually referred to as a "spell") and material object ("medicine") "Fetish" - objects that have magical properties
Sometimes
thought to contain spirit Used magically, but not worshiped
Magic
While magic has emotional origin, the performance of it is routine While magical rituals appear dramatic, almost always non-emotional Client takes complaint to magical specialist, but specialist has no emotional attachment to problem
Interpreting Magic
Magic gives individual sense of confidence in face of fear Provides an outlet for hostility Assuages tensions that might otherwise result in physical combat and death Explains misfortune and failure and reveals cause of illness
Interpreting Magic
Assigns a human cause to terrifying events Converts events into a human rather extrahuman context Negative side: People die from fear of magic or fall ill from magical attacks Whole societies may live in fear of black magic
Interpreting Witchcraft
More than a grisly aberration of human spirit - has positive functional value Provides outlet for aggressions engendered by conflicts, antagonisms, and frustrations of social living Witches are convenient scapegoat for such aggressions
Interpreting Witchcraft
For those anti-social individuals, selfidentification as a witch may be acceptable Also a form of social control
Method
for demanding cultural conformity Furnishes criminal status for which deviants may be accused
Interpreting Witchcraft
Like magic, witchcraft helps explain unhappiness, disease, and bad luck But witches also do real harm, cause real fears, promote dangerous conflicts
Defining Witchcraft in Zimbabwe
Legal perspective: Does not exist European colonialism and development of Witchcraft Suppression Act (1899)
Illegal
to accuse or punish suspected witch Prevention of imputation of witchcraft Legal regulations had little effect on local people's Witchcraft ideas
Defining in Zimbabwe
Recent examples of witchcraft activity:
Mubobobo
Man
attacked by gang of tokoloshis Use of runyoka (gotten from traditional healer)
Defining Witchcraft in Zimbabwe
"Witchcraft in Africa includes the use of harmful medicines, charms, magic and any other means or devices in causing illness, misfortune or death in a person, animal, or property." - Gordon Chavunduka
Defining Witchcraft in Zimbabwe
Witch status achieved in two ways:
Involuntary
possession by a non-human spirit (shave) Apprenticeship to a known witch and consumption of certain medicines (muti)
Defining Witchcraft in Zimbabwe
Witch as the quintessential anti-social being But need to distinguish act (witchcraft) from the actor (witch)
All
witches practices witchcraft, but not all practitioners of witchcraft are witches
Case
of runyoka Are traditional healers also witches?
Functions of Witches in Zimbabwe
Help explain the inexplicable Act as psychological canvas on which society can project innermost fears, loss of control Act as form of social control - guard against overzealousness, pride, acquisition of wealth and power, theft, infidelity
Witchcraft, Whites, and other Non-Blacks
1951 - White man forced African employees to drink a witch-finding elixir SA - cases of Whites being killed for body parts SA and Zambia, some Indian businessmen thought to participate in ritual murders to ensure success of business In Johannesburg, White policeman convicted of "harvesting" fat from corpses and supplying to traditional healers
Magic and Witchcraft: Final Thoughts
Both remain enigmatic Very much a modern phenomenon But also a deeply historical form of sense making that has adapted to modern life
Guide for "Witchcraft Among the Azande"
1.
What is the most common form of danger for the Azande featured in the film? 2. What does Banda (the farmer in the film) suspect is wrong with one of his wives? 3. In times of trouble, where do the Azande turn for explanations? 4. What is the most common "crime" heard before Azande chiefs?
Guide for "Witchcraft Among the Azande"
5.
What is an oracle? 6. What is the most common oracle? 7. What is "Benge"? 8. What does Banda's other wife have to do after consulting the oracle?