Witchcraft is defined as the use of spells and the invocation of spirits to put a desire to effect. It embodies an intimacy with subtle vitality of life and the methodology that allows the ‘witch/wizard’ to manipulate reality and effect change. Perhaps one can say it is a practice like any other as it may be wielded to hinder or assist. Though there is said to be negative and positive witchcraft, it often has a negative connotation. Witchcraft in the simplistic understanding is often motivated to make people counter-productive; out of jealous, malice, hate or sheer laziness.
Does witchcraft really exist or it’s heightened figment of human imagination? There are other supernatural and magical beliefs like animism, folklore and paganism. They tap into the spiritual aspect that can’t be perceived in the natural; these forces allegiance with the spirit which gives rise to manifestation. They are human powers beyond human conception. However, the world system deals with facts and the tangible. Science makes more sense. Religion is as good as fiction. The supernatural probably does exist, even though it cannot be proven in so many ways. If so, I doubt the supernatural is necessarily bad; it’s just how it’s used that is tricky. This may well be the reason that traditional healing and divine intervention have been rubbished into one clump with witchcraft. There is a thin line between them and can override the other.
Many Batswana seemingly believe in witchdoctors and juju magic. One has to pick up a newspaper, turn to the classified pages and note the many ads offering services ranging from promotions, returning lovers, making lovers committed, making people win tenders, get jobs etc; to see that people actually do believe in “those things”. Clearly there is a demand for these services which get creepier, with offers of ‘short boys’ and ‘magic sticks’! They offer a “fascinating” range of services like tightening vaginas (Phew! what happened to Kegel exercises?!) and increasing penis sizes. These things aren’t achieved in practical manners that involve effort and work but rather, magic and potions used.
There aren’t statistics of witchcraft in Botswana as there is no law that recognizes the practice. It has repugnant elements that cannot be linked to the modern (western) justice systems. Speculations of witchcraft aren’t limited to Africa. From Harry Potter, to Juju priests, to Lady Gaga, this belief does prevail around the world.
Does it have a widespread social impact in our society to the point that it should be considered in the law? In Botswana, we often hear of multilations, tokoloshes and bo-matholwane. Who could ever forget the case of Segametsi? People, mostly students, went on the rampage after she disappeared, claiming she had been abducted for ritual purposes. In one of her books titled, Screaming of the Innocent one of my favourite writers Unity Dow, intelligently and vividly touches on the horror that is ritual murder.
It is well known that there are often alleged ritual murders ahead of elections. Children disappear only to be found later, dead, sometimes with body parts missing. Some business people are also alleged to use some shady concoctions made of human parts to attract customers. Instead of addressing the issue the government turns a blind eye and plays ignorant; hiding behind the law. This ‘law’ was drafted by some white man who didn’t understand the customs, beliefs and values of Batswana or the intense reality of the people.
If at all these powers and conducts do exist, it’s imperative that they are addressed as they seemingly jeopardize many lives. A re tla kgona tota? Besides, it’s 2012; shouldn’t human beings be civilized, in all sense of the word?! It would be a different scenario if people could use these powers to bring positive change, healing, enhance and develop lives. If Africa really does have so many witches and widespread practice of witchcraft, why don’t they “bewitch” the economic system and the many dodgy leaders around the continent; if at all the potions do work and are powerful? Perhaps it is good that I am a “so-called” agnostic, for I do not fathom ;-)
