Midterm Review

Akar Farmers vs. Gantus Farmers

• Akar Society

  • Nomadic foragers

  • Lifestyle based on hunting and gathering

  • No wealth accumulation, leading to social equality

  • Lack of currency; they trade with sedentary neighbors

  • Accusations of witchcraft are less prevalent due to lack of jealousy and material disparity

• Gantus Society

  • Sedentary farmers

  • Wealth inequality exists; larger farms lead to greater wealth accumulation

  • Monetary transactions are common due to farming and mining practices

  • Greater likelihood of jealousy leading to accusations of witchcraft

Wealth and Witchcraft

• Wealth Distribution

  • Akar society has equal wealth, resulting in no theft or violence

  • Gantus society experiences wealth disparity

• Melemba (Witches)

  • Akar: Malemba understand their powers and can inflict illness at request

  • Gantus: Accusations of witchcraft are common as wealth differences create jealousy

• Use of Poison Oracle

  • Akar use 'Mbando' for identifying natural illnesses rather than sent illness

  • Gantus rely more on poison oracle for witchcraft accusations due to social tensions

The Role of Healers

• Healers in Akar vs. Gantus

  • Akar: Healers drink the poison to divine answers

  • Gantus: Regular use of healing divination for accusations of witchcraft

  • Cost of hiring Akar healers in the 1990s: approximately $12

Cultural Interpretations of Illness

• Responses to Illness

  • Akar society interprets illnesses based on food taboos or natural causes rather than witchcraft

  • Gantus society links ailments to malice and witchcraft, often driven by envious sentiments

Functionalism in Witchcraft

• Witchcraft as Social Mechanism

  • Authors argue witchcraft among Gantus helps maintain social order through fear of repercussions

  • Akar view witchcraft as a means to promote sharing and equality within the community

Historical Perspectives

• Evans-Pritchard’s Research

  • Focused on Zande witchcraft, viewing it as a philosophical system

  • Contrasts with recent analyses focusing on functionalism and social dynamics

Exam Preparation Overview

• Key Topics for Study

  • Differences between Akar foragers and Gantus farmers

  • Social structure and implications of wealth differences

  • Understanding witchcraft through cultural lenses

  • Application of functionalism to current societal practices

• Examples in Modern Context

  • Traditional practices of healing and their significance in current societies

  • Cultural relativism versus ethnocentrism in evaluating practices such as witchcraft and snake handling

  • The evolution of scientific concepts and societal interpretations over time