Reimagining the Witch Hunt: Gender, Power, and Social Reproduction in Contemporary Africa

Abstract

This paper investigates a new phenomenon of witch hunts in post-colonial African societies, focusing primarily on Malawi, Ghana, Tanzania, and other Sub-Saharan states. It assesses the historical trends and present-day accelerants of witchcraft allegations, such as a weak health system, social disintegration, gendered relationships, and class divides. By analyzing the historical sources and recent fieldworks, the paper demonstrates the witch hunt as a form of social and gendered control discussing the misuse of traditions. There is criticism against the Western lack of profound interference due to a misconceived commenting relativism. Based on the study cases, statistical data, and the theoretical framework, this research enriches the understanding of the witch hunt location within the global patterns of marginalization, control, and resistance. Finally, the breed reveals the multifaceted approach, including legal optimization, health infrastructure enhancement, community education, and international partnerships.