The Problems and Victims of Sorcery and Witchcraft Practices and Beliefs in Melanesia: An Introduction

Abstract

The belief that illness, death and misfortune of all sorts is frequently caused by the deliberate intervention of individuals with special powers or magical knowledge is pervasive throughout Melanesia. As a result, sorcery and witchcraft beliefs and practices exert a powerful influence on many aspects of day-to-day life, as well as being significant vectors for community tensions, conflict and violence. However, sorcery and witchcraft beliefs and practices also give rise to a range of social problems that are not as visible, including the retarding of economic development, poor public health, undermining of social cohesion, incentivising crime and creating insecurity.