{"id":683,"date":"2022-04-16T23:18:10","date_gmt":"2022-04-16T21:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/?p=683"},"modified":"2022-04-16T23:18:18","modified_gmt":"2022-04-16T21:18:18","slug":"witchcraft-and-sorcery-in-african-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/witchcraft-and-sorcery-in-african-tradition\/","title":{"rendered":"Witchcraft and Sorcery in African Tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d0788479109\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69d0788479109\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/witchcraft-and-sorcery-in-african-tradition\/#Witchcraft\" >Witchcraft<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/witchcraft-and-sorcery-in-african-tradition\/#Sorcery\" >Sorcery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/witchcraft-and-sorcery-in-african-tradition\/#Medicine-Men\" >Medicine-Men<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/witchcraft-and-sorcery-in-african-tradition\/#Functions_of_Medicine-Men\" >Functions of Medicine-Men<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Witchcraft\"><\/span><strong>Witchcraft<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To most Africans, witchcraft is an ugly reality. Witches are believed to be people with inherent power. Although some witches acquired these powers to protect their areas, it is mostly believed that the powers are evil, anti-social are not primarily used to harm people. A witch is called Umuloshi, Mulozi, Muloi, Mfiti and Mulozhi in Bemba, Tonga, Lozi, Chewa and Kaonde respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/sikhism-from-india-all-you-need-to-know\/witchcraft-and-sorcery-in-african-tradition\/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-613\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/educom360.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Witchcraft-and-Sorcery-in-African-Tradition.jpg?ssl=1\" alt=\"Witchcraft and Sorcery in African Tradition\" class=\"wp-image-613\"\/><\/a><figcaption>Witchcraft and Sorcery in African Tradition<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One may possess this power without awareness and can also use it destructively out of ignorance. This is what makes the concept of witchcraft mystifying, appalling and sinister. They operate mainly at night. They attend meetings spiritually because the body of those at the meeting will still be on their beds at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sorcery\"><\/span><strong>Sorcery<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the application of evil magic on people or objects. Life and property can be destroyed. Generally, it is an anti-societal employment of supernatural powers. The following are the deeds of sorcerers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A sorcerer may call lighting, elephantiasis, or even apply direct poison on his victim.<\/li><li>He may kill a victim by means of invocation through homeopathic magic.<\/li><li>He may curse his victim who may become insane or commit suicide.<\/li><li>He may send animals (snakes, scorpions) to his victim.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Consequently, they are seen as threats to peaceful coexistence in the society. As a result, most people resort to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/blog\/post\/edit\/3718099119877372482\/6606252146318913095#\">diviners&nbsp;<\/a>and medicine-men for protection. Charms, amulets, medicinal drinks and ointments are used for protection as prescribed by diviners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Medicine-Men\"><\/span><strong>Medicine-Men<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>They are also called herbalists and traditional doctors. To the African mind, sicknesses and misfortunes of this world are spiritual. It requires religious approach for a lasting solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Africa, medicine is part of God\u2019s creation. It is associated with religion. So a medicine man does not practice in isolation. He is an intermediary between God and man. The medicine-man as such is accessible and he is a friend of the community. He plays an important role in communal life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no fixed rule governing the \u2018calling\u2019 of the medicine-man usually, he is called when he is relatively young. Both sexes are represented in the profession but there are more men. Most medicine men are trustworthy, friendly, willing and ready to serve at moderate charges (or at no charge if their patient cannot afford it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professionally medicine-men usually undergo training. He is taught the medicinal value, the quality and use of different herbs, leaves, roots, fruits, barks, grasses and other things like dead insects, bones, feathers, powers, animal excreta and shells. He is also taught the causes, cures and prevention of common ailments and typical problems. He is trained also to combat witches and sorcerers and the handling of elemental spirits. After training he is publicly initiated and then recognized as a medicine-man. It is important to note that the medicine-men work cooperatively and so training goes on even after formal learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Functions_of_Medicine-Men\"><\/span><strong>Functions of Medicine-Men<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>They combat witches, sorcerers and other forms of social misfortunes.<\/li><li>They serve as doctors. They cure diseases. They discover the cause of the sickness, diagnose the nature and apply the right treatment. They suggest how to prevent future re-occurrence.<\/li><li>They also practice divination. When individuals or the community at large want to know the cause of certain afflictions, the medicine-men are invited.<\/li><li>&nbsp;They aid increased productivity and good results. They advise and assist on how to ensure success in business.<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Witchcraft To most Africans, witchcraft is an ugly reality. Witches are believed to be people with inherent power. Although some [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"wds_primary_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[48,83],"tags":[84],"class_list":["post-683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-religious-education","tag-world-religions"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/support.centreforelites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Witchcraft-and-Sorcery-in-African-Tradition.jpg?fit=620%2C415&ssl=1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1159,"url":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/witchcraft-and-sorcery-in-african-tradition-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":683,"position":0},"title":"Witchcraft and Sorcery in African Tradition","author":"centreforelites","date":"March 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0Witchcraft To most Africans, witchcraft is an ugly reality. Witches are believed to be people with inherent power. Although some witches acquired these powers to protect their areas, it is mostly believed that the powers are evil, anti-social are not primarily used to harm people. A witch is called Umuloshi,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;African Religions&quot;","block_context":{"text":"African Religions","link":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/category\/african-religions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Witchcraft and Sorcery in African Tradition","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dandc.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/article_stage\/public\/article_stage\/sw-danner_3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dandc.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/article_stage\/public\/article_stage\/sw-danner_3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.dandc.eu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/article_stage\/public\/article_stage\/sw-danner_3.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":681,"url":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/causes-and-effects-of-evil-in-african-traditional-belief\/","url_meta":{"origin":683,"position":1},"title":"Causes and effects of evil in African Traditional Belief","author":"centreforelites","date":"April 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Arising from the corporate nature of Zambian communities that were held together by a web of kinship relationships and other social structures, almost every form of evil that a person suffered was believed to be caused by members of his\/her community. There is no event without a spiritual\/metaphysical cause; hence\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Causes and effects of evil in African Traditional Belief","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/support.centreforelites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Causes-and-effects-of-evil-in-African-Traditional-Belief.png?fit=804%2C537&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/support.centreforelites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Causes-and-effects-of-evil-in-African-Traditional-Belief.png?fit=804%2C537&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/support.centreforelites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Causes-and-effects-of-evil-in-African-Traditional-Belief.png?fit=804%2C537&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/support.centreforelites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Causes-and-effects-of-evil-in-African-Traditional-Belief.png?fit=804%2C537&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1163,"url":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/causes-and-effects-of-evil-in-african-traditional-belief-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":683,"position":2},"title":"Causes and effects of evil in African Traditional Belief","author":"centreforelites","date":"March 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0Arising from the corporatenature of Zambian communities that were held together by a web of kinship relationships and other social structures, almost every form of evil that a person suffered was believed to be caused by members of his\/her community. There is no event without a spiritual\/metaphysical cause; hence people\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;African Religions&quot;","block_context":{"text":"African Religions","link":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/category\/african-religions\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":671,"url":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/african-traditional-religion-5-facts\/","url_meta":{"origin":683,"position":3},"title":"African Traditional Religion &#8211; 5 Facts","author":"centreforelites","date":"April 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"This article introduces you to what African Traditional Religion is all about, its beliefs, rituals and practices. Religion is found in every human society. It is a sacred institution that educates persons on his\/her beliefs and practices in relation to the divine being. The Traditional Religion in Africa is regarded\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Blog&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/category\/blog\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/support.centreforelites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AFRICAN-TRADITIONAL-RELIGION-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/support.centreforelites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AFRICAN-TRADITIONAL-RELIGION-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/support.centreforelites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AFRICAN-TRADITIONAL-RELIGION-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/support.centreforelites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/AFRICAN-TRADITIONAL-RELIGION-1.jpg?fit=800%2C450&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":684,"url":"https:\/\/support.centreforelites.com\/en\/magic-and-medicine-in-african-tradition\/","url_meta":{"origin":683,"position":4},"title":"Magic and Medicine in African Tradition","author":"centreforelites","date":"April 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Definition Magic is a\u00a0ritual activity\u00a0which influences human or natural events through access to an external mystical force. Thus, magic influence people and events. It involved the manipulation of certain objects to cause a supernatural being to produce or prevent a particular result unobtainable ordinarily. 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