Witchcraft In Our African Way of Life

Many years ago, in Africa whenever there were instabilities in the communities, traditional rulers consulted witch doctors for solutions. In those years, when there were serious events that threatened the community or the king's life, the ancestors were often perceived to be unhappy. Therefore, in order for peace and tranquillity to reign, human beings were often used as sacrifices to appease the gods or ancestors.

Once upon a time, there was a village called Munien-Munien. This village was ruled by a King called Omunu II. His subjects revolted against him and this led to the killings of those who were in support of the king. The king's adviser Chief Olor was so unhappy with the ugly events that he met with the king and advised the king to send him and two other people to consult a witch doctor in the neighbouring village of Agada, the ancestral home of the king's mother, as to why the people are revolting and to find a possible solution. King Omuhu II did not hesitate - he sent Olor with two of his messengers. As they arrived in the village, they met with King Ebu of Agada.

Chief Olor told king Ebu, `The people of Munien-Munien are revolting against the king. We were sent by King Omuhu to come and appeal to you to allow us to consult with the most powerful witch doctor in your domain to help put a stop to the revolt. The people are poised to dethrone the king if steps are not quickly taken.'

King Ebu responded by asking his messenger to accompany Chief Olor and his entourage to meet Chief Oso, one of the strongest witch doctors in his kingdom. He also sent a message to the witch doctor to deal with Olor and his entourage diligently.

When Oso consulted his oracle, something seemed not to be going right. He paused and gazed at the ceiling. Then, he shouted and told Olor that king Omuhu's kingdom was falling apart and unless urgent steps were taken, King Omuhu's reign will be cut short and he might end up in exile.

Olor was perplexed with the statement, and he asked the witch doctor, `Are there measures to be taken in order to avert the problems?'

The witch doctor again consulted the oracle. He paused and told Olor, `The way out of the pending predicament, according to the oracle, is that the king should sacrifice a mentally unstable man to appease the gods of the land. As soon as the sacrifice is made, the people revolting will no longer speak with one voice. There will be confusion among those revolting. This will eventually end the revolt, and the people will bow and worship the king again. Tell the king that he must not take revenge on those who revolted against him. If he keeps to this advice he will reign again and forever in his kingdom.'