Witchcraft and Poverty in Africa: A Pastoral Perspective

The issue of witchcraft and its relationship to poverty in Africa is often neglected or only hinted at in the literature on development. However, witchcraft is recognised as having a significant impact on African society. In this article the researcher explores observations and experiences, from the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Black theology
Main Author: Kakwata, Frederick (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group [2018]
In: Black theology
RelBib Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
AZ New religious movements
KBN Sub-Saharan Africa
KDG Free church
RG Pastoral care
Further subjects:B pastoral perspective
B Witchcraft
B Poverty
B Africa
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
Description
Summary:The issue of witchcraft and its relationship to poverty in Africa is often neglected or only hinted at in the literature on development. However, witchcraft is recognised as having a significant impact on African society. In this article the researcher explores observations and experiences, from the perspective of pastoral care, in terms of the support or refutation of the view that witchcraft is one of the causes of poverty. The data in this qualitative study derive from interviews conducted with 25 pastors in Congo Evangelistic Mission (CEM) in the city of Lubumbashi. The findings indicate that, witchcraft is a lived reality in Congo as well as in Africa, and certain people fall into poverty as a result of the oppressive forces of witchcraft. The article concludes that if poverty is to be addressed holistically, all dimensions of poverty including the spiritual aspect (in this case witchcraft) have to be taken into consideration.
ISSN:1743-1670
Contains:Enthalten in: Black theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/14769948.2018.1411749