Witchcraft and Sorcery in Rhodesia

Originally published in 1967, this book is a study of witchcraft and sorcery among the Shona, Ndebele and Kalanga peoples of Zimbabwe. It analyses in their social context verbatim evidence and confessions from a comprehensive series of judicial records. It provides the first systematic demonstration of the importance and the exstent to which such sources can be used to make a detailed analysis of the character and range of beliefs and motives. The main emphasis is on witchcraft and sorcery beliefs, the nature of accusations, confessions and divination, btoh traditional and as practised by members of the Pentecostal Church.

Part 1: Evidence and Confessions of Wizardry 1. Evidence of Wizardry Beliefs in Criminal Cases 2. The Problem of the Confession of Witchcraft Part 2: The Nature of Wizardry Beliefs 3. The Basis of Wizardry Beliefs 4. Witchcraft and Religion 5. Witchcraft and Misfortune 6. The Making of a Shona Witch 7. Beliefs in the Manifestations of Witchcraft 8. Protection Against Wizardry Part 3: The Allegation of Wizardry 9. The Pattern of Accusations 10. Wizardry Allegations Where No Diviner Was Present 11. Divination in General 12. Traditional Diviners and Divination Methods 13. The Supernatural Indication of a Wizard 14. Shona Names 15. The Ordeal 16. Divination in the Pentecostal Churches Part 4: The Consequences of the Allegation of Wizardry 17. Behaviour of Persons Involved 18. Magical Vengeance Against a Wizard 19. The Cure of the Wizard's Victim 20. The Cure of the Witch 21. Conclusion