article

Cultural narratives, violence, and mother-son loyalty: an exploration into Gusii personification of evil

Ethos29 (1) • Published In 2001 • Pages: 3-29

By: Ogembo, Justus Mozart H'Achachi.

Abstract
In 1992-94 during a period of communal hysteria about witches in Gusii, southwestern Kenya, three men were involved in the execution of their mothers whom they accused of witchcraft. These men were never punished by the government or ostracized by the community for homicide, in accordance with traditonal custom. This response of the community is unusual, but it can be understood in terms of the dominant ideology of the patrilineage that gained great directive force (on the members) from the economic and political stress the country was going through at the time (p. 3).
Subjects
Gender status
Household
Family relationships
Offenses against life
Offenses against the person
Sorcery
Life and death
Mythology
Ethnopsychology
culture
Gusii
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Eastern Africa
Document Type
article
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2005
Field Date
1995
Coverage Date
1992-1995
Coverage Place
southwestern Kenya
Notes
Justus M. Ogembo
Includes bibliographical references (p. 27-29)
LCCN
73643517
LCSH
Gusii (African people)