Witchcraft

Question 1

Magic is . . .

Answer 1

1. Western concept with negative connotations and shifting meanings
2. Concept that does not sit well cross-culturally
3. It is a popular concept that’s been importantly shaped by anthropological approaches to witchcraft.

Question 2

When was witchcraft specifically “enlightened”?

Answer 2

19th century
- European context (enlightenment) that magic is strange and irrational
- Imperialism/colonialism encounter magic/witchcraft justified civilizing mission.

Question 3

Who proposed Evolutionist approaches to (spiritual beliefs, and religion)?

Answer 3

E.B Taylor, and James Franzer

Question 4

What did E.B Taylor propose?

Answer 4

3 stages of supernatural/religious beliefs
- Animism
- Polynthesim
- Monotheism

Question 5

Animism:

Answer 5

A belief in a supernatural power that controls the universal

Question 6

Polynthesim:

Question 7

Monotheism:

Question 8

What did James Frazer propose?

Answer 8

3 stages of belief that people can use to understand the world
- Magic
- Religion
- Science

Question 9

What did Malinowski propose about magic (Troiband islands)

Answer 9

• Magic is not a misguided speculation but fulfills important psychological beliefs
• Religious rituals (provided a way to reduce anxiety when anticipating uncertain conditions)
• Magic becomes psychologcial sailent when people are confronted (unknown proble

Question 10

E.E. Evans-Pritchard:

Answer 10

British anthropologist
- Conducted long-term fieldwork among Azande (1920s)

Question 11

Who wrote “Witchcraft. oracles, and magic among the Azande”?

Answer 11

E. E. E Evans Pritchard

Question 12

What did the book “Witchcraft. oracles, and magic among the Azande” propose?

Answer 12

1. Among Azandae witchcraft was (Ubiquios)
2. Mangu possess a person and make them capable of witchcraft
3. Evans stated witchcraft is perfectly rational and perfectly logical if one accepts its assumption

Question 13

What and how did Evans Pritchard contribute to anthro thought:

Answer 13

1. Challenged assumptions (witchcraft/magic) and stated their primitive and superstitious
2. Insisted that witchcraft/magic is completely rationally operated as long as one accepts premises around (world)
3. Emphasized importance of understanding thought people (long term field work)

Question 14

Witchcraft in Africanist:

Answer 14

Western onlookers: witchcraft (traditional and primitive)
- Modernity/modernization will push out belief in occult forces.

Question 15

When did the “Modernity of witchcraft” start?

Answer 15

1990’s

Question 16

Modernity in witchcraft:

Answer 16

modernity did not remove (occult) and made it prominent
- Witchcraft beliefs (flexible/easily adapt to a new situation)

Question 17

Adam ashforth and Mandu:

Answer 17

Witchcraft posted apartheid (south Africa)
- Madumo faced with many misfortunes, seeks a healer, and helps cure him from witchcraft.

Question 18

What did the book Madumo propose?

Answer 18

1. Contemporary reality (witchcraft)
2. Positioning (author)