The ability of a person to cause harm by means of The ability of a person to cause harm by means of a personal power that resides within the body of a personal power that resides within the body of

the witchthe witch

Has become a bit distorted from traditional views of witchcraft: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N14Ho-VVPgA (from

Disney’s Snow White)▪ The concept of “Witch” has taken on a

less-intimidating/romanticized more “story-book-monster” type of quality like Zombies, Vampires, Ghosts, Frankenstein, etc.

(1937) Witchcraft, Oracles and Magic among the Azande by Evans-Pritchard. This publication put the Azande

(southern Sudan and northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo) “on the map” Anthropology-wise and made Evans-Pritchard famous. Witchcraft or mangu exists within

the body of an individual. Passed down from parent to child of the same sex (fatherson, motherdaughter). Important to the Azande is whether or not a person is consciously (or unconsciously) directing their mangu to harm someone else. Witches are never strangers or those in

a superior social position. If someone is sick, various oracles are

consulted. If the oracles point to witchcraft as the source of the sickness, authorities confront the accused witch.▪ In order to reverse the harmful affects of

his/her mangu the individual will perform a ritual that involves taking water into his/her mouth and then spitting it out, therefore cooling the mangu.

Mangu is blamed when an unexpected calamity occurs. The afflicted person must be the object of a witch’s hatred/jealousy/etc. in some way.

Unlike Azande Witchcraft, this is a taboo subject not discussed in public. Witchcraft must be Witchcraft must be learned, it is not inherent.

Initiation into Navaho Witchcraft, is known as initiation into Witchery Way Like the Azande, Navaho witchcraft is an anti-social and amoral behavior Witches thought to congregate in caves at night, practicing incest and cannibalism,

having sexual relations with corpses and perform ritualistic killings. Learn Witchery Way from a relative, and it often involves killing a close relative like

a sibling. Male witches are more common, as are old women. Corpse Powder (made from bones and flesh of a corpse) is used to kill their victims.

Often blown into the mouth and nose of a victim while sleeping or during a ceremonial.

Witches able to transform themselves and travel fast over land, usually by night. Identifying a witch:

Follow unusual animal tracks to someone’s home. An unexplained gunshot wound, when, during the previous day, an animal had been

shot fleeing the scene of the crime. If a witch is caught or captured, he or she is made to confess. If confession is not

forthcoming, he or she is killed on the spot or later (presumably) by lightning. Witchcraft beliefs here function to:

Provide a culturally acceptable manifestation of bad/amoral behavior Defines what is “bad,” which consequently defines what is “good.” Accumulation/hoarding of possessions usually indicates wealth, so encourages people

to share/be modest in their possessions.

Gnani village (Ghana). Witchraft as anti-social. Similar to Azande’s concept of mangu. Also, divination by Ordeal: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/regions-places/africa-northwestern/ghana_ghanawitches.html

Similar example from Zimbabwe: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/culture-places/work/zimbabwe_witchdoctor.html

The Sonora witches’ market (Mexico). Witchcraft as anti-social. Similar to Navajo culture’s idea of purposeful witchcraft: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/places/culture-places/work/mexico_blackmagic.html