ANTHRO 3AC Lecture 8: Witchcraft (Week 6)
Document Summary
The questioning of the presence occurs when there"s health and disease. Witchcraft is a theory of causation; moral judgement (bad and good) Brings in ideas of the world, how a mystical power is exercised and how that connects to human antagonisms and how to solve those problems. Says that he is sorry for hurting this person and did not mean for this to happen. Acts w full sincerity: admits he was a witch o. If person sick heals, then they know that the person was a witch and was sincere. If the sick person doesn"t heal, then witch wasn"t sincere and another oracle must be consulted. Witchcraft was used to help resolve issues between village members; maintain friendly relations (p. 43); money used as universal treatment to mediate issues. Witchcraft supports idea of social hierarchy; social etiquette. Witchcraft works in accordance to one"s social position. Weak social position people are easier to understand accuse; bias towards people:
