Witchcraft in southern Tanzania/ The Use of Witchcraft in Modern Tanzania - Research Paper Example

Witchcraft in southern Tanzania/ The Use of Witchcraft in Modern Tanzania Introduction Witchcraft has been rampant in various parts of Africa. However, the practice of witchcraft has been on the decline in modern society as compared to the period before the rise of colonialism (Toyin 250). In most part of Africa, there is a conglomeration of tribal healers, sorcerers, and wizard considered having different forms of powers in controlling the fate of society (Toyin 209). Consequently, this has led to the emergence of thousands of practitioners in different parts of Africa. The magic practitioners claim to have enormous powers such as the ability to create rains in times of drought, power to expel evil spirits, to recover lost things, and even to make one healthy (Sanders 338). On the other hand, this has led to the believers by millions of Africans on the monotheistic faith. In fact, most of the Africans believe the magicians have power over nature by the use of a spell or hidden incantations (Petraitis 1). Consequently, this has led to some of the communities lag behind in terms of development as the practice continues to be entrenched in the systems (Green and Mesaki 343). Moreover, the practice has been associated with the poor state of the economy in places that it is widely practiced. The practice has remained prevalent in Africa and Tanzania society (Toyin 297). For example, in the last two decades, thousands of Tanzania have been accused on witchcraft and even murdered by citizens due to the archaic practices (Petraitis 1). In the region, the practice is widespread among the female octogenarians. Moreover, those who practice witchcraft are believed to have certain characteristics such as Red eyes (Petraitis 1). The mark has been used notably in Tanzania to lynch octogenarians believed to practice witchcraft. The practices have also affected Tanzania in different ways. Some of these include execution of Albinos, backwardness, and poor condition of the economy. However, the practice has been on the decline due to religion and foreign influence (Toyin, 203-204). A reflection on witchcraft helps in highlighting its impact on society such as disease prevalence, stigmatization, death, malice, and challenges on women. Witchcraft Witchcraft believes appears to have a wider acceptance in the sub-Saharan part of Africa. Believe serves a variety of social purposes. However, the practice has been dwindling in the post-colonial era. Witchcraft is viewed as essential components in many of societies in Africa. They are revered as they have the ability to heal sickness, improve life with magic spells, and predict one destiny (Southern Africa’s Children 1). The believe allows people to connect their success or misfortunes on another person and fails to believe in destiny (Miguel 2). For example, the witches are thought to have tremendous power to cause damage on community members (Miguel 1). The harm is usually directed to those people that are envied or have a personal grudge in the society. Once trust is entrenched in the society, it is difficult to manage as it appears like a way of taking an oath. On the other hand, any action meant to curb the spread of practices has been met with powerful resistance especially in the sub-Saharan region. In Tanzania, the beliefs are more prominent in ethically Sukuma western Tanzania (Miguel 3). In the region, majority of the population follows traditional religion and are yet to adopt Christianity or Islam. In a survey carried out, more than half of the respondents in Meatu District acknowledged following traditional religion and practices (Miguel 3). The practice ensures that any misfortunes that befall the population in the region are attributed to strained interaction among living persons or the soul of the dead (Mesaki 49). In fact, any calamity that occurs in the region such as rain failure, diseases, and snakebites is tied to witchcraft (Miguel 3). Therefore, those who practice witchcraft occupy a place of honor, power, and wealth in the region. Effects of Witchcraft in Modern Tanzania The rise of witchcraft in Tanzania has led to the disintegration of society. The disintegration occurs as family members, communities, and tribes accuse each other of witchcraft based on wealth or misfortune. Most, the elderly are accused of witchcraft and forced to leave the society (Helpage International 1). However, most of the accusations are based on malice. Consequently, the rights of individuals are affected mainly women in the contemporary society. There exist data showing that most of the elderly Tanzania women are attacked due to the accusation of witchcraft (Helpage International 1). In fact, the number of Tanzanian women killed annually is alarming. Mostly, individuals look someone to blame on various misfortunes. The target is usually on the most vulnerable and marginalized in the society (Helpage International 1). Usually, the culprit is identified through the traditional healers. Consequently, this has led to conflict and quarrelling in the region as some of the members are erroneously identified as practicing witchcraft. On the other hand, the rise of witchcraft has led to increased effect of HIV/Aids. The increase has been due to the misunderstanding of the causes of HIV in society due to practices of witchcraft (Helpage International 1). In the society, there is basic belief that the disease is due to bewitching of those affected. In fact, due to the prevalence of witchcraft the disease is not viewed as being caused by a virus but as a punishment to the individual (AVERT 1). Consequently, most of people even the progressive in society turn to practitioners believing that there is a way of reversing the curse and hence healing of the disease (Toyin 210). Consequently, this has led to death and infection of many people, as they do not adopt modern practices of controlling HIV/Aids. On the other hand, some of the members in the society have abandoned taking antiretroviral drugs and have turned to witchcraft. As a result, this has led to sudden death of most of the population. Furthermore, the linking of AIDs to witchcraft has led to stigmatization of those infected (AVERT 1). In fact, some of those infected are not acceptable in the family due to the fear of witchcraft. In addition, some of the diseases have been linked to witchcraft. The most common includes malaria and albinism. The impression arises due to spirituality, and imagined believes in witchcraft. The conditions are perceived in Tanzania society as a form of blasphemy and punishment. For example, a mother who gives birth to albino child is perceived to have been cursed. In Tanzania, there is believed that such curse arises from mother having an affair, practicing sorcery, or a previous encounter with an albino (Southern Africa’s Children 1). As a result, albinos are hated in Tanzania and even are an endangered species in the region. In fact, in the area the albinos are not treated as normal human being. On the other hand, malaria is also treated as a curse. Consequently, majority of mothers whose children get sick hide the children from society. The effect is that children die young to lack of treatment. Moreover, witchcraft is used in resolving disputes, in the society. The reason is because most of the disputes are believed to have emanated from practices of witchcraft (Helpage International 11). Therefore, members in the society seek the services of the witchcraft to have a answer to many of the challenges they face in the society. Some of the disputes often solved by the spells include property rights, inheritance, and marital issues (Helpage International 1). For example, the communities believes that most of the challenges arising in family set up are as a result of one member of the family being bewitched. On the other hand, some social ills such as illicit sex, school drop out, and indulgence in alcohol are tied to witchcraft (Helpage International 1). Therefore, most of the members that believe in the practice believe that such social ills can only be addressed by seeking services of the practitioners. Consequently, most of the communities remain behind in solving some of the problems facing the society. Additionally, there has been increased use of body parts for witchcraft in Tanzania. The body parts are used to bring jobs, fortune, and overcoming various challenges. The practice has led to the elimination of many people in Tanzania most of them being women. For example, in a recent attack, there was killing of six women for extraction of various body parts (BBC 1). The killings are associated with witchcraft as the body is mutilated in search for an organ in the body for the rituals. The killer usually cut off body cuts for use in the practices of witchcraft. On the other hand, there has been an increase in the killing of Albino in the region. The body parts of individuals are extremely prized in the region, as the witch doctors believe they have unusual powers to create success in business and love (BBC 1). Consequently, most of the people have turned to practitioners for success of the marriage, business, and job search. For example, in Tanzania, they are believed to have enormous magical power that can make other section of the society rich (Southern Africa’s Children 1). As a result, this has led to the killing of many albinos in the region to get organ for magical tokens and lucky charms (Southern Africa’s Children 1). For example, albino hair is used in fishing net to increase yield and make the fisherman rich (Southern Africa’s Children 1). Therefore, the individuals are seen as a product of wealth rather than human beings. Moreover, witchcraft practices have led to delinking from modern medicine. As a result, any death is linked to witch rather than establishing the cause of the disease. For example, most of the elders in the region believe deaths were the result of evil deeds from a witch (Missionlights 1). The result is the accusation of people as the cause of death most of which are women (Missionlights 1). On the other hand, such accusations are made out of malice. For example, it can arise due to dispute on the ownership of land in members of the family (Missionlights 1). The consequence is that such individuals are expelled from a society based on malice. Consequently, they face severe mental and emotional breakdown. Therefore, “witchcraft acts as convenient ways to get rid of unwanted people and to seize their properties” (Missionlights 1). Conclusion The paper highlights the way witchcraft has been prevalent in Africa with a emphasis on contemporary Tanzania society. Moreover, it is clear that the practice has taken roots in different societies around Africa. However, the practice has been on the decline in the region due to adoption of Christianity (Toyin 203). The decline has been associated with the progression of society and lynching of those behind the practice. On the other hand, the practice has affected the society in various ways. First, it has led to increased prevalence of disease such as malaria, and AIDS due to the practices of witch doctors. On the other hand, it has led to stigmatization of women and albino people. Therefore, there should be education policy aimed at informing people of the archaic nature of the practices. Works Cited AVERT. “HIV and AIDS in Tanzania: The current situation.” Avert.org. Web. 03 November 2013. . BBC. “Tanzania police arrested over 'witchcraft killing' riot.” Bbc.co.uk. Web. 03 November 2013. . Green, Maia and Mesaki, Simeon. “The Birth of the "Salon": Poverty, "Modernization," and Dealing with Witchcraft in Southern Tanzania.” American Ethnologist 32.3 (2005): 371-388. Print Helpage International. “Women’s Rights in Tanzania: Working with Community to stop Witchcraft Accusations.” Helpage.org. Web. 03 November 2013. . Mesaki, Simeon. “Witchcraft in Contemporary Tanzania”. African Studies Center: University of Cambridge, 1994. Print Miguel, Edward. “Poverty and Witch Killing.” Ucla.edu. Web. 03 November 2013. . Missionlights. “Modern Tanzania Witch-Hunting.” Over-blog.com. Web. 03 November 2013. . Petraitis, Richard. “The Witch Killers of Africa (2003).” Infidels.org. Web. 03 November 2013. . Sanders, Todd. “Reconsidering Witchcraft: Postcolonial Africa”. American Anthropologist 105.2 (2003): 338-352. Print Southern Africa’s Children. “Horrific African Witchcraft Is Big Business in Tanzania.” Southern-Africas-children.org. < http://www.southern-africas-children.org.uk/african-witchcraft.html>. Toyin, Falola. “The Power of African Cultures.” Woodbridge, Suffolk, United Kingdom: University of Rochester Press, 2003. Print Read More