Book

Witchcraft in Ghana: a study on the belief in destructive witches and its effect on the Akan tribes

Presbyterian Book Depot Ltd. • Accra • Published In 1961 • Pages:

By: Debrunner, Hans W..

Abstract

Studies of witchcraft are more accurately studies about anti-witchcraft cults and movements. It is rare if not impossible to document the practice of witchcraft. For example, in this study the author does not interview any witches, nor observe any of their practices. Rather, it is the omnipresent fear of witches, which spawns numerous anti-witchcraft cults and is the focus of this study. The Akan ascribe all etiology to human agency. Healing churches establish shrines to solicit the aid of powerful spirits to protect a village from witchcraft and disease. Witch-hunting prophets help to identify witches and exorcise their malevolent spirits. Anti-witchcraft movements rise in number and ferocity when political and economic change threatens the moral order and health of a community. Debrunner also discusses Akan psychology in the context of witchcraft beliefs. The book contains 32 pages of photographs.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Africa

Sub Region

Western Africa

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Type

Cleric

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 1999

Field Date

Not Specified

Coverage Date

1850-1960

Coverage Place

Ghana

Notes

by H. Debrunner

Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-191) and index

LCSH

Akan (African people)