Question
Witch craze & Africa
Instructions
Test your knowledge about how similar and different witchcraft is in three cultures: Africa (Azande & Democratic Republic of the Congo), Navaho (US), and the Witchcraze (historical Europe & early America).
Put the answers from the Traits List below into the blanks on the Venn diagram. Keep in mind how a Venn diagram works – some traits are true of only one culture, while others are shared by two cultures, or even all three. Then complete the Reflection below, comparing the patterns you see in the three cultures. Each Venn diagram answer is worth 1 pt, and the reflection is worth 15 pts for a total of 28 pts.
Traits
List:
o Witchcraft
is learned from a family member or spouse, and initiation involves killing a
relative (usually a sibling).
o Fear
of witches – or of being accused of being a witch – promotes “proper” social
behavior.
o Witchcraft
is caused by a physical substance in the body of the witch, inherited from a
parent.
o Witches
can transform into animals – for example, a coyote or wolf.
o Actions of witches are described in the book Malleus MaleficarumI
o Witches use corpse powder made in graveyards
to poison their victims.
o Children can be accused of witchcraft;
abandoned by their families.
o Witches make a deliberate pact with the
Devil, and renounce God.
o You can counter evil witchcraft with good
magic.
o Witches always have evil intentions.
o Witches can be male or female.
o Christian institutions actively involved in
accusing people of witchcraft.
o Marginal people & those with lower social
status are usually accused.
Reflection (15 points, evaluated using the ANTH 211 M13 Reflection Rubric)
In 200-300 words, answer the following:
· Which of the cultures seem to have ideas about witches that are most similar? Most different?
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Drawing on your reading, how do patterns in witchcraft relate to larger patterns in each culture? Think holistically. What characteristics do the cultures share?
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Are there some differences that are more significant than others? Which aspects of the cultural context seem to have the largest impact on how witchcraft is defined or practiced?
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Expert Solution
·
Accusations
are more common in times of change and conflict
·
Being
accused can lead to death
·
The accused were tortured by priests to gain
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