Witchcraft Accusations in Africa

Witchcraft is quite common in many parts of the world by now. In Africa, things have taken a different turn and has become a social issue of concern. It is becoming a norm in Africa to accuse people of witchcraft and because of such accusations people end up in prison, they can lose their property and can also be banished from their village. Most of the accusations are baseless.

There is an NGO and human rights program being conducted in Malawi to focus on this issue and to raise awareness amongst people to not ruin anybody's life by accusing them with such things. Mostly, there is no proof that the people accused do perform witchcraft in the first place. In fact, people are resistant to this program.

Witch hunts have taken place in Europe, India, America, Rome, Mexico, Russia and India. But it is said that witchcraft is normally practiced in poor communities and rural settings. People in Africa are accusing those whom they want to get rid of due to enmity or for personal gains. For instance, in some case a son accused  his mother of being a witch and when she was banished, he took over all her lands.

According to the law in Malawi, the government does not have issues if people believe or don't believe in witchcraft but it does not want witchcraft accusations that can harm and ruin lives for personal gains. Well, it seems more of a psychological and social issue and changing corruptible mind sets is a much longer process. 

Witches In Trouble

I have seen a lot of bitches around but I have never seen a real professional witch as yet. But here's an interesting thing about the witches in Romania who would soon be required to get a permit card to practice under the new law labor laws of Romania. 

According to the new law, the witch whose predictions will turn out to be false will be fined or could be imprisoned also. Although witchcraft was always a part of the culture in Romania for centuries. These labor laws were introduced on January 1, 2011 and for the first time in the history have the country decided to recognize witchcraft as a profession like all occupations. So, now witches have to provide their customers with receipts like all other jobs.

Witches in Romania are not at all happy about this because it is quite possible that their predictions may not turn out to be true. They can not practice near schools and churches. Sometime ago, the government started taxing the witches to pay 16% income tax for their trade just like everybody else and now there are threats of going to prison as well. The witches include astrologers, alternative healers, tarot card readers. Some practice white magic and some black magic.

Witchcraft is taken very seriously by the people of Romania from the common man top top notch politicians. In fact, it is believed that politicians use the power of black magic to ensure other opponents suffer.Most critics are saying, the government is doing such things to divert the attention of people from other major economic conditions of the country as Romania is plunging into recession. They think that they are not solving older issues and creating new problems.

Buzea the angry witch

A witch called Buzea was jailed for her witchcraft practice in the 1970s and she is so angry that she has threatened the rulers of Romania with a spell that involves cat excrement and a dead dog. Buzea says that  they should blame the cards and not the witches if the prediction fails. Buzea looks fierce. Reminds me of somebody who pretty much resembles her and is quite the black magic practitioner type of person perhaps.