The Eternity of Uoi (Witchcraft) In Ukambani

Abstract

Witchraft is a subject which has been discussed by many scholars of African culture. However, for us we have undertaken to investigate what it is, who practises it, and finally why bother about it? This we have done by having a case study of Matuu parish of Machakos diocese. The people under study are Akamba, both Christians and non Christians. In Pastoral Psychology we came to realize that witchcraft is one of the problems or issues that confront the pastor in his pastoral ministry. This is true also of pastors working in Machakos diocese. We hence thought it is an important subject which needs a careful study and a critical analysis in order to address it properly. Throughout this long essay/project, we have come to realize that not every Mukarnba is a witch and that witchcraft affects Christians and non Christians alike, and so a cause for our concern. We have also come to realize that witchcraft cannot be eradicated by a pastor preaching against it, more is required in terms of catechesis and open dialogue between the Catholic Church and the local culture. It has become clear to us that riches or economy has its part to play in this phenomenon. This then reminds us that what we are dealing with here is more than we often read about witchcraft in books.. Witchcraft is the power that counters the good in society, that is, good life and prosperity, and as we have found out, it cannot be narrowed to a clear definition. The more we have tried to understand it, the more mysterious it has become. We have also found out that it is an eternal phenomenon always taking new forms as the society takes new forms of development. In our research we have found out that the Akamba have a clear distinction between a witch and a priest less doctor and whoever has to work in this society as a pastor has to be aware of this distinction if he has to address the phenomenon of witchcraft effectively. The two are opposed to one another in theory and practice.