Witchcraft in Modern African Societies

Seminararbeit , 2004 , 32 Seiten , Note: 1

Geschichte - Afrika

Eine Auseinandersetzung mit dem Problem der Hexerei in modernen Afrikanischen Gesellschaften, auch in Bezug auf die Immunschwäche AIDS.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Introduction
• Witchcraft Definition
• Witchcraft Violence
• The State Reacts
• The Problem of AIDS
• Conclusions
• Works Cited

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This paper aims to examine the evolution of witchcraft violence in modern African societies, particularly in South Africa, and to explore the role of the state in addressing this persistent problem. The paper will analyze the social and political dimensions of witchcraft discourse, focusing on the experiences of victims and the challenges faced by a young democracy in confronting an age-old issue.

• The definition and practice of witchcraft in African societies
• The prevalence and impact of witchcraft violence
• The state's response to witchcraft accusations and violence
• The relationship between witchcraft beliefs and the AIDS epidemic
• The challenges of addressing witchcraft in a modern democratic context

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The introduction provides an overview of the historical and anthropological perspectives on witchcraft, highlighting the shift from a focus on the "otherness" of African beliefs to a more nuanced understanding of the social and political dimensions of witchcraft discourse. The paper argues that the question of whether witchcraft is real is irrelevant, as the belief in witchcraft itself has real-world consequences, leading to violence and distrust within communities.

The chapter on witchcraft definition explores the various forms of witchcraft practiced in African societies, including the role of ancestors and the use of medicines and muti. It examines the motivations behind witchcraft accusations, such as hatred, envy, and the desire to explain misfortune. The chapter also discusses the gendered nature of witchcraft accusations, with women being more frequently accused than men.

The chapter on witchcraft violence examines the various forms of violence associated with witchcraft accusations, including physical attacks, social ostracism, and the use of muti. It explores the legal frameworks surrounding witchcraft accusations and the challenges of prosecuting witchcraft-related crimes. The chapter also discusses the role of the state in addressing witchcraft violence and the limitations of its response.

The chapter on the state's reaction to witchcraft examines the various strategies employed by African governments to address witchcraft accusations and violence. It discusses the challenges of balancing the need to protect individuals from harm with the right to freedom of belief. The chapter also explores the role of education and awareness campaigns in combating witchcraft-related violence.

The chapter on the problem of AIDS examines the intersection of witchcraft beliefs and the AIDS epidemic in Africa. It discusses how witchcraft accusations can contribute to the stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS. The chapter also explores the role of traditional healers in addressing the AIDS epidemic and the challenges of integrating traditional practices with modern medicine.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include witchcraft, witchcraft violence, African societies, South Africa, state response, AIDS, traditional beliefs, social and political dimensions, and the challenges of addressing witchcraft in a modern democratic context.

• Hochschule: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
• Note: 1
• Autor: Stephan Schuster (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2004
• Seiten: 32
• Katalognummer: V186458
• ISBN (eBook): 9783869436890
• ISBN (Buch): 9783656993605
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: witchcraft, modern, african, societies