–– Paul Schlehlein

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Witch hunting is a serious problem in Africa. If locals suppose their neighbour is a witch or engaged in witchcraft, they may injure that person, or even kill them.

Traditional African View on Witchcraft

According to Samuel Waje Kunhiyop, the common traditional African view is that since God does not allow or ordain evil and there is evil in the world, it must come from demons.

Witchcraft, then, is the cause of most suffering in the world. If someone is hit by a car while walking to work and dies, or if a child falls out of a tree at school and is killed, in the African mind, the explanation is often witchcraft.

Why some people are more affected by witchcraft than others may be owing to their neighbour or enemy placing a curse on them. Perhaps a witch doctor is involved.

A common proof of such witchcraft is the thousands of stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. It is debatable if these stories are true. What is not disputable, however, is that the belief in these stories is true. Christians must be careful to address these issues seriously, as many people wholeheartedly accept the holistic activity of the demonic world.