Angolan witch trials
In Angola 50 alleged sorcerers was recently forced to drink a mysterious herbal potion to prove they where not witches. Unfortunately they we’re all found to be witches and died as a result.
Witchcraft in Angola
Belief in witchcraft remain in parts of Angola, more specifically, Camacupa, where this tragic event took place, but have been opposed by the Catholic church for quite some time. While there are no specific laws against witchcraft, traditional healers “marabouts” often handle such allegations by administering a secret brew called “Mbulungo”. If the alleged witch dies as a result of drinking the toxic concoction it is seen as evidence of guilt by the tribe.
The practices are explained by the socio-economic challenges in Angola, driving individuals towards resorting to witchcraft to escape poverty.
Tangena in Madagaskar
Similar practices have been common in rural Africa for quite some time and dome even continues to this day. In Madagaskar, e.g. a criminal, alleged or otherwise could be forced to partake the ordeal of tangena.
“The accused would be fed the poison along with three pieces of chicken skin: if all three pieces of skin were vomited up then innocence was declared, but death or a failure to regurgitate all three pieces of skin indicated guilt. Those who died were declared sorcerers.”
It is estimated that 20-50% of those who underwent the ordeal died as a result, averaging roughly 3,000 death per year before it was outlawed in 1863.
2024-05-16 11:27
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