Proposal Towards a Theory on Witchcraft-Related Crime in Post-Colonial South Africa

• NCJ Number: 217070
• Journal: Acta Criminologica Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: 2006 Pages: 142-151
• Author(s): T. S. Petrus
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa
• Note: To access the full text PDF: 1) select the provided link; 2) from the Acta Criminologica Web site, select "Table of Contents"; 3) select the corresponding Volume and Issue (see the NCJRS abstract record for the exact Volume and Issue); 4) scroll the Table of Contents to the exact article; and 5) click on the "full text" icon. Downloaded on January 23, 2007.

Annotation

This paper attempts to suggest a possible way forward regarding the development of a theoretical framework to explain the emerging phenomenon of witchcraft-related crime in South Africa.

Abstract

While traditional anthropological perspectives on witchcraft still have much value in traditional anthropological studies, witchcraft-related crime is a phenomenon that cannot be explained solely in terms of a particular example. The dynamics of the phenomenon, coupled with its emergence as a new field of study, as well as its implications for development in African communities, suggest that efforts to explain it cannot be based on unmodified theories of the past. In order for theories on witchcraft beliefs and practices to be more practically relevant to the contemporary time, they need to be modified which means to build on the valid ideas of previous theories, along with contemplating new ideas. An approach that could prove useful in efforts to create a way forward for 21st century explanations of witchcraft-related crime in modern day South Africa is an eclectic perspective. This perspective is based on a combination of ritual symbolism, the psychological approaches of schematic thinking, and telepathic forms of cognition which should be used and located with a political economic framework. Theories on witchcraft beliefs and practices have emerged from the dominant examples in the anthropology of religion to structural perspectives. While these theories had and continue to have significance for mainstream anthropological studies, the emerging phenomenon of witchcraft-related crime in contemporary African societies poses challenges to the validity of such approaches. This paper argues that given the changes that local African communities have had to endure during the last two decades, and the emergence of witchcraft-related crimes, earlier theoretical models for explaining witchcraft need to be reviewed to determine whether they are still relevant. References