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.
Subjects
Sorcery
Magical and mental therapy
Religious beliefs
Ecclesiastical organization
culture
Akan
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)