Witch-hunts Today : Africa’s Silent Human Rights Crisis
SELECTIVE FEMINISM AND ITS BLINDSPOTS
According to Audrey Lorde, “The continued blindness between us can only serve the oppressive system within which we live.”
This quote perfectly embodies the practice of selective feminism; one that not only excludes, but also shames the forms of oppression that do not fit, the often western, narrative, that dominates the international sphere; as well as the understanding of contemporary issues. Indeed, the fight for equal rights is one that can only succeed through a comprehensive, inclusive, and intersectional lense, for the liberation of all women and peoples across the globe.
Though the concept of intersectionality has started to see the light of day, and is the object of many discussions and advancements, certain issues remain. Notably, regarding matters that seem to be specific to certain communities and regions of the world. This pushes individuals, and even decision makers, to turn a blind eye to any question that seemingly doesn’t affect the western hemisphere, painting it as a « niche », or even non-prioritarian topic. However, it is important to note the staggering lack of empathy, and cruelty in such a statement. In fact, labeling a humanitarian issue as too niche to be brought to the table, reflects the elitism of the international community.
WITCH-HUNTS: A FORGOTTEN HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS
A perfect example of such lack of consideration can be found in the African continent, where many harmful practices continue to spew inequality, violence and even death, all under the careless gaze of the world.
This is the case for witch hunts and their devastating effects. Yes, witch-hunts. Contrary to popular belief, witch-hunts and witchcraft accusations were not brought to a halt following the great European witch-hunts. In fact, this phenomenon continues to plague communities of women and children.
So the question is: in what way do witch-hunts and accusations of witchcraft affect women and children throughout the African continent ?
WITCHCRAFT IN AFRICAN HISTORY AND BELIEF SYSTEMS
Witchcraft traditionally constitutes the exercise or invocation of alleged supernatural powers to control people or events, and practices typically involving sorcery or magic1. In many African countries, this involves the use of herbs and rituals, in hopes of helping, curing, and sometimes even cursing people.
The belief in occult forces is deeply rooted in African societies, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or culture. In fact, two countries known to behold the most witchcraft are Morocco, and Benin. Both are drastically different, and their practices of witchcraft are a unique reflection of their history, culture and spirituality.
Indeed, in precolonial times witchcraft played a significant role in traditional African societies, where local healers, shamans, or spiritual leaders used their knowledge of herbs, rituals, spirituality, and magic, to help their communities, in whatever way that may be, through evil or through good.
With the arrival of the Europeans in the 15th century, indigenous beliefs were heavily impacted. Many Europeans demonized traditional African practices, including witchcraft, branding the communities involved, as « primitive » or « Satanic ». As a result, witchcraft accusations increased during this period. (1)
After gaining independence around the 1960s, African countries grappled between traditional spirituality, and newfound belief systems, a lot of which developed throughout colonization; thus sparking social and political tensions.
These tensions only grew with time, and now it is safe to say that more people have been killed following witch-hunts in the 20th and 21st century, the majority of which took place in Africa, than throughout the entire 300 years of the European witch-hunts.
As a matter of fact, such hunts affect a majority of women, most of whom are elderly, as well children, especially those with atypical physical features like blue eyes, albinism and so on.
CHILDREN AS TARGETS
Children accused of being witches, often face public humiliation, beatings, forced detention, and sometimes even death.
According to a new report from the African Child Policy Forum(ACPF), a 13-years-old Beninese girl name Effie, spent years detained in a shelter, and was rejected by her family upon release, because she had reportedly « eaten someone ». Effia said : “Everyone said that I was a witch. They said I ate someone, but they wouldn’t tell me who I ate.”
The treatment of albino children is even more horrifying, as they are not just rejected or detained, but are often sacrificed in rituals, or forced to have their limbs cut off. This is often the case in countries such as Benin and Tanzania.
In Morocco, « Zouhri » children are the target of kidnappings, to then be sacrificed in rituals. « Zouhri » children possess certain physical traits such as a straight line across their palms, blue eyes, a stained eye, a visible handicap, etc. that supposedly make them sacred.
In September of 2020, the body of 5-year-old Naïma who was squint-eyed , was found in Zagora, in the south of Morocco, after being sacrificed for « spiritual » purposes.
However, children aren’t the only targets in this never ending train of witchcraft accusations. Women are also victims of humiliation, exclusion, and violence.
WOMEN IN EXILE
In Ghana, Kuoko is one of many witch villages. It is where many women seek refuge after witchcraft accusations, to avoid violence, torture, and stoning to death. These women are condemned to a life in exile and extreme poverty. The reason for these accusations include : chronic migraines, sickness, and being blamed for other people’s accidental deaths.
In Tanzania, a striking 93% of the population believes in magic and witchcraft. In fact, Tanzania has witnessed some of the most severe witch-hunts in Africa, resulting in the death of an estimated 20,000 people in the past two decades. Most of these victims were women, and especially elderly women.
A CALL FOR GLOBAL ACTION
Overall, these deadly happenings constitute a topical and pressing issue that continues with impunity. The world cannot afford to keep looking away. An international call for action is essential, and can even be considered a responsibility for the UN. In 2005, the UN accepted and declared their responsibility to act in situations where states fail to intervene. They have already recognised and acted against ethnic cleaning, genocide, war crimes etc. But witch-hunts – which destroy lives in silence – have yet to be acknowledged.
References:
(1): The Guardian, « Witch-hunts and ritual child abuse are a stain on Africa. We must confront them », Joan Nyanyuki
Jeune Afrique, « Au Maroc, le mythe des enfants Zouhri », Nina Kozlowski, https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1475258/societe/au-maroc-le-mythe-des-enfants-zouhr is/
The Guardian, « Witch-hunts and ritual child abuse are a stain on Africa. We must confront them », Joan Nyanyuki, https://amp.theguardian.com/global-development/commentisfree/2022/jun/08/witch-h unts-ritual-child-abuse-albinism-africa
SSOAR, « Magic and Witchcraft: Implications for Democratization and Poverty-Alleviating Aid in Africa », Kohnert Dirk,https://www.ssoar.info/ssoar/bitstream/handle/document/55638/ssoar-worlddevel opment-1996-8-kohnert-Magic_and_Witchcraft_Implications_for.pdf;jsessionid=E47 DE69BF3EB26FB5CDE78DC99ACF1EF?sequence=1
Britannica, Witchcraft, https://www.britannica.com/topic/witchcraft
DW, « Witch hunts: A global problem in the 21st century », Charlotte Müller and Sertan Sanderson, https://amp.dw.com/en/witch-hunts-a-global-problem-in-the-21st-century/a-54495289
Politics4Her, « did you know witch hunts still take place in Africa ? », Nada Baki, https://www.instagram.com/p/CvDYtacL9Cr/?igsh=MWtqeDc3dW80Zm9qbA==
About the author:
Nada Baki is an aspiring international human rights lawyer with a strong commitment to advancing women’s rights globally. Her work is driven by a desire to highlight communities overlooked by existing legal frameworks and to address injustices that persist in the grey zones of international law. She firmly believes that meaningful progress in this field is impossible as long as the rights and lived realities of African women remain marginalized.
As Project Manager and Communications Director at the Politics4Her Africa Hub, Nada ensures that her values are reflected in both her work and her activism. She is dedicated to fostering inclusive dialogues, amplifying young women's voices, and promoting gender-sensitive policies across the continent.
