Book
The African witch: with particular reference to witchcraft beliefs and practices among the Shona of Rhodesia
E. & S. Livingstone • Edinburgh • Published In 1967 • Pages:
By: Gelfand, Michael, Hannan, M..
Abstract
This is the definitive work on Shona witchcraft. After a brief introductory sketch of some of the salient features of Shona ethnography (especially the spirit world), the author turns to the main theme of his work–witchcraft, not only as perceived by the Shona but also from the standpoint of the effects of this belief on the society. Detailed discussions are presented in the text on types of witches, witchcraft as a functional part of everyday living, factors influencing witchcraft accusations, prevalence of witchcraft accusations, procedures, witchcraft as a cause of illness, and the rationale of treatment of cases of witchcraft. There is a chapter on the witch doctor and his place in the spirit world. The source concludes with two appendices containing brief summaries of judicial case histories involving accusations of witchcraft and subsequent court decisions.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2014
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Southern Africa
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Types
- Physician
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle; 1991
- Field Date
- 1960-1964
- Coverage Date
- 1899-1966
- Coverage Place
- eastern Zimbabwe
- Notes
- [by] Michael Gelfand ; with a foreword by the Rev. Father M. Hannan, S.J.
- Includes index
- LCCN
- 67113298
- LCSH
- Witchcraft--Zimbabwe
- Shona (African people)