essay

Witchcraft and sorcery in a Gusii community

witchcraft and sorcery in east africa [by] john beattie [and othersLondon • Published In 1963 • Pages: 221-255

By: LeVine, Robert Alan.

Abstract
Witchcraft and sorcery is a preoccupation of the Gusii people living in and around Nyansongo, in Southwestern Kenya. This document describes in detail beliefs about witches, including information on how one becomes a witch, methods used in witchcraft, ways of combating witchcraft, and punishment of witches. In addition the author discusses the roles of the sorcerers in the society. These individuals attempt to kill by magical means the particular witch who is harming his client and to protect the client and his/her family from further witchcraft.
Subjects
Adjustment processes
Ingroup antagonisms
Household
Family relationships
Polygamy
Clans
Offenses against the person
Theory of disease
Sorcery
Life and death
Magicians and diviners
culture
Gusii
HRAF PubDate
2000
Region
Africa
Sub Region
Eastern Africa
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Ethnologist
Document Rating
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
John Beierle ; 2005
Field Date
no date
Coverage Date
not specified
Coverage Place
southwestern Kenya
Notes
Robert A. LeVine
Includes bibliographical references (p. 255)
LCCN
63025974
LCSH
Gusii (African people)