Witchcraft, Witches, and Violence in Ghana

Witchcraft violence is a feature of many contemporary African societies. In Ghana, belief in witchcraft and the malignant activities of putative witches is prevalent. Purported witches are blamed for all manner of adversities including inexplicable illnesses and untimely deaths. As in other historical periods and other societies, in contemporary Ghana, alleged witches are typically female, elderly, poor, and marginalized. Childhood socialization in homes and schools, exposure to mass media, and other institutional mechanisms ensure that witchcraft beliefs are transmitted across generations and entrenched over time. This book provides a detailed account of Ghanaian witchcraft beliefs and practices and their role in fueling violent attacks on alleged witches by aggrieved individuals and vigilante groups. Witchcraft violence is a feature of many contemporary African societies. In Ghana, belief in witchcraft and the malignant activities of putative witches is prevalent; purported witches are blamed for all manner of adversities including inexplicable illnesses and untimely deaths. As in other historical periods and other societies, in contemporary Ghana, alleged witches are typically female, elderly, poor and marginalized. Childhood socialization in homes and schools, exposure to mass media, and other institutional mechanisms ensure that witchcraft beliefs are transmitted across generations and entrenched over time. This book provides a detailed account of Ghanaian witchcraft beliefs and practices and their role in fueling violent attacks by aggrieved individuals and vigilante groups on these alleged witches. Dedication Contents List of Illustrations Preface Introduction. Witchcraft Violence in Comparative Perspective 1. Ghana: The Research Setting 2. Witchcraft Beliefs in Ghana 3. Socialization into Witchcraft Beliefs 4. Witchcraft Themes in Popular Ghanaian Music 5. Witchcraft Imagery in Akan Proverbs 6. Witchcraft Trials in Ghanaian Courts 7. Witch Killings 8. Nonlethal Treatment of Alleged Witches 9. Gendered Victimization: Patriarchy, Misogyny, and Gynophobia Conclusion. Curbing Witchcraft-Related Violence in Ghana Glossary Bibliography Index