WITCHCRAFT AND SUPERSTITION IN AFRICA
Alexandre McCall Smith reveals in his book some aspects of the dark side of modern Africa, such as the reality of witchcraft.
Witchcraft is very much alive in Africa. It is linked to medicine practice, but in a different way. There is a difference between witches and traditional doctors.
Traditional doctors or herbalists are just medicine people who have knowledge of what kinds of herbs can cure certain diseases. They did not go to any school for such knowledge but got it from their family members who passed it onto them. They were very helpful prior to colonialism and civilization.
Witches usually act with cruelty. Most of them are believed to be possessed by the evil spirit. Some people consult witchdoctors to cure diseases or find a husband. However, the practise has negative sides - mutilated bodies are often found in Africa, with their organs removed for use in magic charms. They produce with them a substance named Muti, which may ring you a bell from Alexander McCall's Book.
Muti is a term for traditional medicine in Southern Africa. The word Muti is derived from the Zulu word for tree. African Traditional Medicine makes use of various natural products, many of which are derived from trees and herbals.
It is sometimes used as a slang word for medicine in general. It is normally used to cure slight illness, but there are more darker methods associated with it, such as murder and mutilation, known as Muti killings. Muti killings involve the use of human body parts and vital organs to produce medicine.
Certain beliefs state that this medicine can increase the luck and health of the person who consumes it. It is prepared by traditional healers known as Sangomas. These people dismember their victims while they are still alive in the belief that by doing so, they will be more powerful. The Sangomas do all these as a business to obtain money.
Most Muti victims are innocent children who are kidnapped, murdered and dismembered. It is believed that due to their young age, they have used up very little of their good luck and health. Screams of these young children are also believed to make Muti medicine more powerful by waking the spirits and empowering them.
According to Muti traditions and beliefs, the power of a virgin is greater than one who is sexually active.
The many body parts and organs of a person are believed to have different significant effects.
o The hand of a victim that is buried in front of a store is believed to drive in customers.
o The genitals of the victims are believed to bring luck and health to the consumer.
o The brain may provide knowledge and intelligence, while consuming the eyes would improve sight.
These murders occur to enhance personal power, health and bring good fortune to a person. Ingesting Muti medicine produced with another's healthy heart or kidney is believed to cure heart and kidney ailments.
This is the leading cause of death, causing 51.7% of mortality rates. Most Muti murders occur in South Africa, but there are an increasing number of cases in European nations.
Through a debate opened in BBC Africa Live website, some native people left their opinion about whether witchcraft had a place in modern society still. The most representative comments are the following:
Job Egalaha, from Kenya, says that he doesn't believe in witchcraft but he knows it exists. He knows that there is a group of old men who can make rainfall and also groups known to purchase thunder and lightening to strike enemies/opponents to death.
Guy, from Johannesburg tells how a beloved school teacher suddenly died, apparently after taking some 'muti' (medication) dispensed to her by some 'visitors'.
Everybody I know in Togo believes in 'mammy water', the mythological sea serpent. After dark it is impossible to get anybody to go near the beach. Witchcraft is very very strong, more than 90%. And with 60% illiteracy and more than 60% unemployment, what hope is there for the future of the northern half of Africa. Education is the only cure.
Adrian Cruickshank, Togo
There is no witchcraft in Africa. There is African Science, which the West has not understood, and instead considers it witchcraft. This should end the discussion.
Tarsuah Early, Liberia
I have seen witchdoctors curing people who have been told by modern doctors that they have no chances of surviving.
James Nyikole, Sudanese in Australia
Witchcraft is alive and well in Africa People's lives have been destroyed by these witches. My brother was a victim. Witchcraft in any form is barbaric, evil and inhumane.
Johnson Ogah, Nigeria
Laura del Campo Montes and Justyna Drewek