Posts by whrin_admin

Magic and Witchcraft Implications for Democratisation and Poverty-Alleviating Aid in Africa

The belief in occult forces is still deeply rooted in many African societies, regardless of education, religion, and social class of the people concerned. According to many Africans its incidence is even increasing due to social stress and strain caused (among others) by the  process of modernization. This paper looks into how magic and witchcraft accusations work to the disadvantage of the poor and deprived, but under particular circumstances they become a means of the poor in the struggle against oppression by establishing “cults of counter-violence”.

Read more here

Albinism, Witchcraft and Superstition in East Africa

Child Rights Activist Solicits Effort Towards Ending Child Witch Branding

Child Rights Activist Solicits Effort Towards Ending Child Witch Branding

NGO’s Decry Violation of Albino Rights

NGO’s Decry Violation of Albino Rights

Black Magic – Toil and Trouble

Black Magic – Toil and Trouble 

‘Witch-hunting’ in India: Do We Need Special Laws?

Partners for Law in Development in Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh invetigate laws that need to be put in place to combat witchcraft accusations. The scholarly article shows the barriers in dealing with witch-hunting and related forms of violence. Mehra claims that there needs to be a focus on accountability and reform of the agencies that activate the criminal justice system.

See full article here

Medicine and Money: An historical inquiry into Pentecostal belief and practice in twentieth Century West Africa

This scholarly article analyzes five major phases of Pentecostal revivalism in the Twentieth Century. This paper argues that the key to understanding both Pentecostal success and West African traditional religion lies in distilling a particular conception of spiritual power that is given prominence in both the African and Pentecostal worldviews.

See full article here

In-laws and outlaws: black magic among Pakistani migrants in Denmark

See full article here

Destroying the Destroyer of your Destiny: The Role(s) of Pentecostalism in Post-War Liberia

Heaner evaluates the socio-political role of Pentecostalism in Liberia, Africa. Heaner analyzes the growth of the Pentecostal churches within post-conflict settings of nearly total social, economic, educational and political collapse in Liberia.

See full article here

Contemporary Practices of Witch Hunting: A Report on Social trends and the interface with law

Many states such as Jharkhand, Bihar and Orissa, have had concerns expressed about the targeting of women as ‘witches’, or what is widely called ‘witch hunting’. This report addresses social trends, norms, and acceptance of making women targets for such accusation and persecution. It discusses the consequences of “witch-hunting” and laws that have been put into place to combat it.

See full article here