WITCHCRAFT IN AFRICA: A BIPARTITE PHENOMENON

Abstract

Even though witchcraft may not be scientifically justified, it is a widely believed reality in Africa and among Africans. In Nigerian dialectical parlance for example, witchcraft is recognized and called Aje among the Yoruba, Ifot among the Ibibio, Amusus among the Igbo, and Pou among the Ijaw. Hence, every average African within Africa, most especially, acknowledges the existence and actuality of witchcraft. However despite this acknowledgement, some lack the knowledge of the fact that witchcraft is a two-way street-a help and a hurt in Africa. Consequently, this study employs secondary date to unveil the havocs the phenomenon has caused in various African societies as well as the good it has brought to few Africans. But before justice would be done to this, the study would have to first consider the meaning of witchcraft and witches, evidences of witchcraft in the holy Bible, and accusations of witchcraft against children.