essay
On the articulation of witchcraft and modes of production among the Nupe, northern Nigeria
Hexenglauben im modernen Afrika : Hexen, Hexenverfolgung und magische Vorstellungswelten = Witchcraft in modern Africa : witches, witch-hunts and magical imaginaries / Burghart Schmidt, Rolf Schute (Hg • Hamburg • Published In 2007 • Pages: 55-87
By: Kohnert, Dirk.
Abstract
In this paper Kohnert discusses the development of witchcraft accusation over time as an indicator of social and political conflict within Nupe society. A long-term study of the Nupe state since pre-colonial times would seem to indicate a close relationship between the content and form of witchcraft accusations based on the type of life and work of Nupe individuals, serving different and often antagonistic ends of the persons involved. According to the author there is much confusion in the literature about seeming contradictions in the functions of witchcraft beliefs that could be avoided by studying the relationship between "…modes of production, witchcraft accusations, and the underlying vested interests of the ruling powers" (p. 55).
- HRAF PubDate
- 2014
- Region
- Africa
- Sub Region
- Western Africa
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle ; 2012
- Field Date
- 1975, 1982, 1990
- Coverage Date
- 1975-1990
- Coverage Place
- Bida Emirate, Niger state, Nigeria
- Notes
- Dirk Kohnert
- Includes bibliographical references
- LCSH
- Nupe (African people)