Witchcraft in Africa- the !Kung

For the purpose of this essay I will look at the belief systems of various African cultures and by reference to the cultural diversity of morality, social systems, and the basic ways of life I will try to understand why different ideas about the supernatural and the occult have evolved, what functions these ideas perform and what effect they have on society.

The Ju/’hoansi or !Kung san of the Kalahari Desert

The Ju/’hoansi have no witch craft beliefs but I think it is important to mention them in this essay firstly as a comparison to other societies and secondly to analyse a wonderful activity which is particular to the Ju.

The activity could be likened to some form of shamanism and comes in the form of a healing dance in which !Kia (trance) state is achieved.

The san language is characterised by unusual sounds called ‘clicks’.

These sounds are represented by the following symbols:

/ Dental click. One can hear this sound being made to show disapproval. The s

Witchcraft belief is writhe in Africa; it comes in many different forms and evolves a multitude of idioms varying from place to place; tribe to tribe.

Some topics in this essay:
Dobe Dobe, African Witchcraft, Functions Kia, Nyakyusa Pondo, Dr Katz, Desert Ju/’hoansi, Karma Africans, Richard Katz, Societies Introduction, History San, n/um k”xausi, belief system, functions kia dance, motivated lust, beliefs nyakyusa, tribes nyakyusa, lust food, physical psychical, nyakyusa pondo, witch’s power, kia trance, motivated lust food,