SORCERY AND HEALING
SORCERY AND HEALING Early Christian missionaries in Africa used this term “sorcerer or sorceress” to refer to individuals who were believed to intentionally use "incantations, ritual, and various substances" to mount psychic attacks against other people. They were believed to direct destructive black magic in the direction of their victims. These individuals are called umthakathi among the Zulu and moloi among the Sotho. "Evil sorcerer" or "evil sorceress” was most often the preferred term used. Unfortunately, they are often referred to simply as ‘Witch doctors” This is a healer that uses ancient knowledge to heal people. In the case of most African communities, the person claims to get guidance and knowledge from the ancestors. In the case of witch doctors the knowledge is passed through generations with which apprentices taken from the family. Herbalists who also fall in this category are a little different, their craft can be learnt without a calling but many Sangomas a tribe within southern Africa and witchdoctors are also herbalists using natural remedies to heal the sick.
Sorcery can also generally take on the form of spells, poisoning or other physical injury done by someone secretly to someone else or his crops and animals. Witches, evil magicians and sorcerers all fall into the category of the most hated in the community. The Longman dictionary defines sorcery as magic that uses the power of evil spirits. People most often fear to associate with them, to eat in their homes or even quarrel with them in the case that they might bewitch them. in every African society, one would often hear endless stories about these people and thus how they affect our everyday way of life. This topic seeks to burrow into the concept of healing and sorcery in our society and how the latter influences the former and vice versa.
Healing can be defined as a spontaneous event that comes about through that kind of a particular of grace. Healing can happen at anywhere and at
Sorcery can also generally take on the form of spells, poisoning or other physical injury done by someone secretly to someone else or his crops and animals. Witches, evil magicians and sorcerers all fall into the category of the most hated in the community. The Longman dictionary defines sorcery as magic that uses the power of evil spirits. People most often fear to associate with them, to eat in their homes or even quarrel with them in the case that they might bewitch them. in every African society, one would often hear endless stories about these people and thus how they affect our everyday way of life. This topic seeks to burrow into the concept of healing and sorcery in our society and how the latter influences the former and vice versa.
Healing can be defined as a spontaneous event that comes about through that kind of a particular of grace. Healing can happen at anywhere and at
References: Houston S., Stuart D., & Taube K., 2006. The Memory of Bones, University of Texas Press. Saliba, J. A., 2008. Medicine Man, Microsoft Student[ DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation. Mbiti, J. S., 1991. Introduction to African Religion. Sno-Isle Regional Library System, Marysville: Washington. Opoku, J., 2012. Lecture Notes on Africa Traditional Religion, Healing and Medicine [Leaflets] KNUST.