Lecture 7_Witchcraft in Anthropology

Anth 206: Anthropology of the Supernatural

• Lecture 7: Witchcraft in Anthropology

Key Considerations

• Warning:

  • Witchcraft accusations frequently lead to severe violence.

  • Discussions require great sensitivity due to the potential for harm.

  • Distinction between emic and etic perspectives is crucial:

    • Emic: Culture's internal viewpoint.

    • Etic: External viewpoint from anthropologists.

Meanings of Witchcraft

• Anthropological:

  • Witchcraft accusations occur across diverse cultures.

  • Significant in early anthropology (Africa, Asia, Oceania).

• Diabolical Witchcraft:

  • Associated with a pact with the devil; prevalent in Europe, influenced by Abrahamic religions.

• Neo-Pagan Witchcraft:

  • Revival of Paganism since the 1930s; individuals identify as witches.

Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Magic

• Witchcraft and sorcery stem from belief in magic:

  • Using rituals to compel the universe.

  • Universally present, but not every culture recognizes witchcraft as a phenomenon.

Self-Identification as a Witch

• Societies discussed do not exhibit spontaneous self-identification as witches:

  • Accusations are directed toward others rather than self-acknowledgment.

  • Confessions arise post-accusation to mitigate social tension.

  • Identifying as a witch is dangerous; perceived as inherently evil.

Anthropological Definition of Witchcraft

• Witch:

  • Individual believed to harm others through non-physical means.

  • Inherits powers believed to be harmful toward kin and community.

  • Part of a society labeled as "evil-doers" and associated with social pollution.

  • Solutions include magic or extermination of the witch.

Witchcraft as a Social Issue

• Anthropologists view witchcraft as a social concern:

  • Expresses social conflict.

  • Acts as a mechanism for societal control.

  • Belief system explaining misfortunes.

Projection of Societal Fears onto Witches

• Witches symbolize violations of societal norms:

  • Accused of grave crimes (murder, incest, etc.).

  • Represents inversion of cultural values and norms.

  • Example: Navajo skinwalkers believed to transform into animals.

Role of the Unwitcher or Sorcerer

• Ritual specialists exist to manage witchcraft threats:

  • Known as priests, shamans, or healers.

  • Common misunderstanding is the European interpretation of "witch-doctor" (e.g., Sangoma in South Africa) as those who deal with witchcraft.

Differences Between Witches and Unwitchers

• Witch:

  • Acquire powers through learning or are ascribed at birth.

  • Typically associated with evil intent.

  • Can face accusations themselves.

• Unwitcher/Sorcerer:

  • Often hired to reverse witchcraft; intent may vary (good, neutral, bad).

Witch Panics and Persecutions

• Societal methods to resolve underlying issues reduce violence:

  • Legends of witchcraft escalate into conspiracy theories associated with elites.

  • Campaigns to eradicate perceived witches often lead to violence.

E.E. Evans Pritchard’s Observations

• Studied Witchcraft among the Azande:

  • Used as an explanation for misfortune and a means of social control.

  • Witches believed to inherit substances from same-sex parents.

  • Accused witches consumed others' bodies, causing harm.

Witchcraft as Social Control Among the Azande

• Used witchcraft to rationalize misfortunes even when logical causes were understood.

• Social conflict exemplified through accusations, leading to potential reconciliation.

• Rise of witch killings linked to the British colonial trial system.

The Poison Oracle of the Azande

• Oracle method for confirming witchcraft accusations:

  • Poison administered to chickens; their reaction determines the accused's guilt.

  • Offers a framework for recognizing unintentional harm and potential resolution without violence.

Witchcraft Among the Navajo

• Skinwalkers:

  • Transformative abilities into animal forms, serve as a means of social control.

• Accusations often target individuals displaying greedy or selfish behavior.

Edwin Ardener’s Study of the Bakweri People

• Key Observations:

  • Witchcraft beliefs evolve with socio-economic changes.

  • Cultural practices traditionally addressed inequality; colonial influences disrupted this balance.

Important Aspects of Ardener's Work

• Utilized indigenous Bakweri terminology for nuanced understanding of witchcraft phenomena.

• Focused on the interplay of continuity and change in belief systems amid shifting contexts.

• Maintained a dual emic and etic approach, enriching the analysis of Bakweri culture.

Khaukanani Mavhungu’s Study

• Focused on witchcraft discourse in post-colonial Africa.

  • Fieldwork among the Venda and Kom, analyzing emic and etic perspectives and their complexities.

• Investigated witchcraft-related violence in Vendaland, revealing broader cultural issues.

Conclusion

• Witchcraft continues to be a complex issue reflecting societal dynamics, with intersections of cultural beliefs and modern violence.