An Empirical Methodology of the Study of Witchcraft and its implementation in African cultures
Journal Title: Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences - Year 2017, Vol 2, Issue 6
Abstract
Abstract: In Africa the study of witchcraft is hampered by methodological problems which are the result of the use of Eurocentric materialistic belittling paradigm. To avoid this pitfall, this paper offers a new empirical methodological approach which relies on: (1) The scientificity of African indigenous epistemology and the superiority of its bases compared to Eurocentric view; this eschews any connotation of superstition as far as African values are concerned. (2) The distinct existence of the divine, human and demonic initiatory lore in African culture; this distinction corners witchcraft to the demonic field. (3) The possibility of studying witchcraft empirically as the reverse of the practice of the divine mystery. For the implementation of this methodology in relation to African cultures, this paper recommends Kôngo religion as the best starting paradigm, because it is a scientific episteme and it enables the scholar to seize the different trends of African traditional religion ina unifying theory. Keywords:Witchcraft; Vodun; Kôngo; aze: kindoki; sorcery.
Authors and Affiliations
KiatezuaLubanzadio Luyaluka
Keywords
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