I have been fortunate to have had come into my possession an African "witch doctor's" kit. It consists of a dried chicken's foot, various bones, and some smooth river pebbles. I am told that in the right hands it has mystical powers. I plan to use it to cast a spell on my neighbor who continues to allow his dog to crap in my yard in spite of my repeated warnings.

I know a PH who swears that there is something to African magic. He told me that he knows a witch doctor who brought the victim of a mamba bite back to life after three days and another who, whenever something is missing from camp, he can go to and the fellow can tell him right where to find the missing item. I know another PH who has a local witch doctor bless every safari before it begins. I think this may be something that more civilized folks just can't understand and that it shouldn't be immediately discounted.

It's funny in that I was discussing the very same thing with some friends yesterday. I had asked my PH about a tracker who I had hunted with on a previous safari, and how he was doing, because we had hit it off quite well, I really like the guy. I had heard from my previous PH that the tracker had become very ill. The PH that I was talking to confirmed that the tracker had taken ill, and that they sent him to a local hospital, and they couldn't do anything for him, so he had checked out and went to a "witchdoctor". In a few days he was up and feeling fine; came back to work.

I have often heard about African Hunters and even PH's going to a witchdoctor to get their rifles blessed. PHC even mentions this in one of his books. On one hunt, we had not seen any buffalo in several days, and the lion baits were not being hit. I jokingly said "maybe we should find a witchdoctor to bless my rifle". The PH, going along with my joke called the trackers and game scout over and asked if there was a witchdoctor in any of the local villages. They all shook their heads, then one of them gathered up three vulture feathers and tied them to bar on the front of the truck. The next day we came across a huge herd of buffalo and the lion baits were hit. When we drove through one of the village later, the kids all smiled and pointed to the vulture feathers on the front of the truck.

One of the guys I was discussing this with said it was "a sin" for Christians to believe in witchcraft. I am not saying I believe in it.

Never totally discount anything.

I've meet some booking agents who were in league with Lucifer.

Will ’juju’ hand Africa its first world cup.

From The Standard
February 28, 2010


Barely three months away the World Cup is raising a storm of its own. Is black magic for real? And will it enhance the performance of African teams at the World Cup in South Africa in June?

These are some of the questions that emerged in the past week after European healthworkers expressed concern that Africans might have unfair advantage at the Word Cup if they use black magic and traditional medicine.

But Fifa officials have said African teams will be free to consult witchdoctors and are convinced nothing will go wrong during the games, with or without these unconventional services. They particularly note they would be least concerned with spiritual "addiction", a category under which black magic falls.
Europe has expressed concern that Africa could have unfair advantage at the Word Cup if they use black magic and traditional medicine.


Modern world

Due to increasing enlightenment, cases of open witchcraft have decreased in the modern world, but so weird is the topic that even footballers, who played at the height of black magic obsession in the local league, remain unsure of the power of juju. Former international goalkeeper Mathew Ottamax, who played for AFC leopards, Gor Mahia and Re-Union, says black magic works, but only if one believes in its potency. He says even at the World Cup, it will only enhance the performance of players who believe in it irrespective of their race.

He recalls how his former clubs used to hire dreaded witchdoctors to cast spells on opposing teams, throw magic powder on the goal to keep the ball out, and even prescribe special diets for the players to propel them to victory.

"At Gor Mahia, we were supposed to eat beef before matches. But I never liked it. One day I opted to take chicken. The officials were mad with me, claiming I will cost them the match, but we won and I used that as proof that witchcraft does not work," he says. He says that during his playing career, he and his teammates were often subjected to strange activities in the hands of witches. But while it never worked for him, he says it did for others.

"I was often directed to put some paraphanelia around the goal mouth to stop the opposition from scoring. But while I usually conceded goals like any other goalkeeper, I was puzzled to hear of other matches where penalties and free kicks went all the way to the corner flag," he says. Otamax says the most common practices included burying the head of a chicken or rat near the opponent’s goal, or not entering the stadium via the main gate to avoid walking in the footsteps of their opponents. They would use the spectators’ door or jump over the walls already dressed to avoid using the home team’s locker room in case it was bewitched.

"Before one match for AFC Leopards against Mumias Sugar, we had to jump over an iron sheet fence to access the pitch, yet we still lost 4-1. We were also given certain traditional fruit concoctions to take before every game, but we still lost," he recalls. Then, even a stray dog urinating on the pitch would have led to the postponement of a match.

Patrick Naggi, a soccer official and former player, believes that as much as black magic remains a common practice in football, it is ineffective. "It does not work. If it indeed works, a country like Haiti-considered the epicentre of witchcraft and voodoo cult would have won the Word Cup at least once by now," says the former Kenya Breweries player.

He says he has experienced black magic fiascos during his football career, including in a premier league match between Breweries and Re-Union back in 1984. "The match was at Ruaraka grounds and just before kick-off, a Re-Union fan unleashed so many young lizards onto the pitch from a sack. But we still won the match by four goals, meaning that black magic is non-existent," he states.

Naggi was last year famously quoted attributing Kenya’s World Cup qualifier loss in the hands of Tunisia to witchcraft.

A downpour unexpectedly hit Nairobi just before the match kicked off, although the city had not received rains for months. But while Naggi now says he was misquoted, about half of individuals who commented on the witchcraft theory said he was right.

Power of juju

"I think Naggi was right. The events of that fateful day signifies that. I am also surprised why our juju man from Nakuru was not allowed into the main stadium with his pot. He could have neutralised the juju. I promise, even if we decide to train on the moon, we will lose heavily without juju," a blogger by the name Collorado reacted to the story on KenyaFootball.com’s website. But another blogger Oyundi noted: "Is it 2009 or am lost? I cannot believe people still believe in such stuff called black magic."

quote:

I plan to use it to cast a spell on my neighbor who continues to allow his dog to crap in my yard in spite of my repeated warnings.

Chobe, I think you should go ahead and use it. Let us know the result. This could be the crucial test!
Peter.

I have been a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan. Everytime witchcraft is discussed, I can only think of the "billygoat curse". Are we really that different in our beliefs of curses and superstitions?



Curse removal backfires on Cubs
By Paul Sullivan

It was supposed to be a quiet ceremony with no publicity.

But when a TBS cameraman saw Rev. Father James L. Greanias spreading holy water in the Cubs dugout several hours before Game 1 of the Division Series on Wednesday, the priest from St. Iakovos Greek Orthodox Church in Valparaiso, Ind. knew the cat was out of the bag.

“Now I guess I’m just another Cubbie Occurrence,” he said.

The seven walks by Ryan Dempster, the grand slam by James Loney, and the lack of clutch hitting from the Cubs sluggers can not be directly traced to Rev. Greanias’ curse-removal ritual.

But the longtime Cubs fan understands what’s coming next, especially if the Cubs bow out of the postseason in the first round. The decision to bring in a priest to remove the “Curse of the Billy Goat” may go down in Cubs lore alongside all the other calamities in franchise history.

The story began a couple days ago, when Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney left a message on Greanis’ voice mail to call him. Greanis thought his friends were playing a prank on him, but when he eventually got in contact with Kenney, he found out the reason for the call.

“He said, ‘I’m a devout Catholic, and I’m not superstitious, but if there is anything there, I want to take care of it,’” Greanis said Thursday.

The Billy Goat curse was placed on the Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner William Sianis was denied entrance to a World Series game at Wrigley Field because he wanted to bring in his goat. The curse was immortalized in newspaper columns over the years, particularly by syndicated columnist Mike Royko, and gained widespread attention during the 2003 postseason when Fox played it up during the Cubs-Florida match-up in the National League Championship Series.

Kenney told Greanis that they wanted a Greek Orthodox priest to bless the dugout, since the alleged curse was placed by a Greek-American.

“I told him ‘I’m honored,’” Greanis said. “I said we’d bring some holy water and say a prayer. It’s not for ensuring the Cubs winning, but for being safe and protected. I’m a priest first, and a Cubs fan second. I don’t want anything to be mocked, and neither did Mr. Kenney.”

Greanis came to Wrigley on Wednesday well before the media was allowed inside the park. But a TBS cameraman setting up near the dugout saw the ritual and got some of it on tape. TBS then aired it during their pre-game show, ensuring it would get national publicity.

The spreading of the holy water took about 10 minutes, as Greanis went up and down the dugout, getting it in every nook and cranny. The remaining holy water was poured out onto the field near the dugout steps where the players run out to their positions.

“It’s not unusual,” Greanis said. “In Greece, the priest blesses soccer teams, and they did it in the Olympics, too. It was not intended to be a p.r. stunt or anything.”

The spreading of holy water in the Cubs dugout was nothing new. Former Cubs manager Dusty Baker was once given a gift of holy water from the Vatican from former Cubs media relations chief Sharon Pannozzo. Baker rubbed it on some of his players, including current Dodgers shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, in hopes the Cubs would receive help from on high.

Fast-forward to Game 1 of the 2008 NLDS, and it’s déjà vu all over again.

The Cubs loss in Game 1 on Wednesday put a damper on Greanis’ day. But he was also given two box seats for him and his son, and got to park in the players’ parking lot. He remains confident the Cubs will come back, suggesting that “their three best starters are going in the next three games,” referring to Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden and Ted Lilly.

“If they win the World Series, it will be kind of cool to be a footnote to history,” he said.

And if not?

Well, it’s just another Cubbie Occurrence.

I have some neighborhood crats I'd like to cast a spell on.

Real -- there's no doubt about it as far as I'm concerned.

At the very least, don't ever bet against it.

The belief in "Witch Doctors" does exist in Africa. I try not to discount others beliefs although it may seem strange to me. The powers of suggestion and superstition exist.

How many people don't like a black cat crossing their path, carry a rabbits foot, pick a four leaf clover, nail a horseshoe to their barn (with the tips pointing up to "catch the luck."? Ever walked around a ladder instead of walking under it. Ever stay in a hotel in the US that didn't have a 13th floor? Ever think that Friday the 13th means anything? Ever throw a coin in a fountain or well and make a wish? Tell your kids that a flying Fairy will leave them money for a tooth (or had your parents tell you that and you believed it?), tell them that a fat man in a red suit riding in a sleigh with a bunch of flying reindeer pulling it will come down their chimney in December and leave them a bunch of free stuff? Tell them that a rabbit will bring them eggs and candy in the spring time? Ever seen a Hex sign painted on a barn in Pennsylvania to keep evil spirits away? Ever said something, then knocked on wood with your knuckles?

What about Las Vegas? I have seen people get up and leave a Blackjack table when the guy next to them splits kings. I have seen people pull their bets at a Crap table when someone throws the dice off the table.

Some of the things we do may seem strange when you think about it.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
I've meet some booking agents who were in league with Lucifer.

It dosnt matter wether you believe in them or not. They believe in YOU!

quote:

Originally posted by Chobe Bushbuck:
I have been fortunate to have had come into my possession an African "witch doctor's" kit. It consists of a dried chicken's foot, various bones, and some smooth river pebbles. I am told that in the right hands it has mystical powers. I plan to use it to cast a spell on my neighbor who continues to allow his dog to crap in my yard in spite of my repeated warnings.

I know a PH who swears that there is something to African magic. He told me that he knows a witch doctor who brought the victim of a mamba bite back to life after three days and another who, whenever something is missing from camp, he can go to and the fellow can tell him right where to find the missing item. I know another PH who has a local witch doctor bless every safari before it begins. I think this may be something that more civilized folks just can't understand and that it shouldn't be immediately discounted.

I call it . . . . . . . . COMMUNISM ! ! !

It's a load of ol croc !! I've made numerous attempts at appeasing the hunting spirits to help out, in more than just one or two countries. The most action I ever witnessed was the poor chicken yodelling as his tail feathers were systematically plucked, out one at a time, and thrown to some poor spirit, locked in the insides of a rather odd specimen of a plant!!

The locals all believe in this stuff, it's their upbringing. Modern society has made us less dependant on this crap and more dependant on good old hard work for success.

Then again perhaps the spirits have a wicked sense of humour, and just enjoy winding me up !!

My PH shot an impala to present to a shaman (my term) before my buff hunt. I shot a buff that dropped before he got to heavy brush -the PH said the reason the trackers were so delirious with joy afterwards was because in the previous season there had been no less than nine buffs that had to be tracked after being wounded and which got into the "vlei". (flood area heavy brush) I happen to believe in my Guardian Angel -and that he guided my aim of a 375 H&H,300 gr. solid!)

quote:

I’m a priest first, and a Cubs fan second.

Kathi, that's the problem!
Peter.

CB

You're a piece of work, coz. Witchcraft/sorcery and rebellion against God are the same thing in the Bible. You are playing with matches (if you are serious, which I doubt) and have no more idea about this than the other topics you've trolled past us. This one matters to you because from my time in Africa, yes, it is serious. However, your happening across the genuine article rather than having been fooled is improbable.

CB,
BNagel is right; if you are of the Christian faith, and believe the bible, it has some serious things to say about "witchcraft"!

If not, go for it!! (I doubt you have the genuine article anyway, unless you paid a bit of $ for it!)

I can tell you what is real, and that is 99% of your trackers, skinners & hired help on your safaris believe that the witch doctors are for real. You want to see a safari come apart, start f-ing with a witch doctor in front of your "help", those people will be tripping all over each other and screwing up everything they touch for the next month out of fear. My suggestion would be when in Rome, do as the Romans do

Many Africans also believe in the Tokoloshe, a well endowed short, ugly little guy. Check him out sometime.

I'm ALL for it!!

I'll be looking for the 1st "doctor" I can find when get back into Zim in Oct to bless my rifles, bullets, and anyone and everyone there!!

I've even had some AR juju sent my way!! Our own Judge sent Ernest the Elephant to me to provide some of his famous safari luck along to me on my upcoming African hunts this year!

quote:

Originally posted by 505 gibbs:
I can tell you what is real, and that is 99% of your trackers, skinners & hired help on your safaris believe that the witch doctors are for real. You want to see a safari come apart, start f-ing with a witch doctor in front of your "help", those people will be tripping all over each other and screwing up everything they touch for the next month out of fear. My suggestion would be when in Rome, do as the Romans do

I would think if you could have a "witchdoctor" bless your rifles at the beginning of a hunt, even if you don't believe it, would encourage your trackers and the rest of the crew to work much harder to make your hunt successful! It might work even better than a big tip at the end of the hunt!

We have hunted elephant with a witch doctor as a tracker. He was ex officio, of course.

He did not like it when we refused to shoot the elephants he found for us. He left us in disgust after a couple of days.

Still, when I did shoot a good bull, one of our regular trackers, a wily old fellow, stole the tip of the elephant's trunk - which is supposed to be powerful juju as an aphrodisiac.

He kept it for himself, and did not allow us to give it to the witch doctor, as we had intended.

We had no "hard" evidence of his guilt, but suspected it given the look in his eye and the spring in his step.

To my knowledge, he did not suffer any bad juju from the witch doctor as a result of his thievery.

True story.

CB,
I have had a lot of fun with this topic! But seriously, Witchdoctors are real, they are real if you believe in them. It works on superstition and the power of suggestion. People believe what people of authority that they respect and believe in say. Witchdoctors are respected members of their village.

People are no different anywhere in the world. Witchdoctors are kind of like the Wizard of Oz, the man behind the curtain. As I said in my earlier post, it's kind of like the tooth fairy, your parents (whom you respect and believe in)tells you that the tooth fairy will leave you money under your pillow for a tooth. You leave a tooth under your pillow and money magically appears. In your mind the tooth fairy is real. They tell you that Santa will bring you gifts at Christmas if you are good, and sure enough, Christmas morning rolls around, lights are flashing on the tree, and there are tons of gifts and presents in pretty packages. It's all a bit of mind control, and as you get older and learn more, other people who you respect and trust tell you it isn't really true, and let you in on the secret, and you don't believe it anymore.

I am sure if your neighbor was convinced that you had a real witchdoctors pouch, and you had the power to use it against him, he would keep his dog out of your yard.

But don't count on it!!!

When I hunted Zim an Appie told me that a pair of Tusks had been stolen from the storeroom in camp the previous season. When the PH realized that they were missing he went directly to the police. An investigation was carried out and everyone in camp was questioned. No one knew anything.

When no sign of forced entry was found, the police asked who had access to the keys.
The PH assured the police that he had kept the keys in his possession and that no one else had access.

So in typical fashion, the police arrested the PH.


The safari company sent in the manager who let it be know that a Witch Doctor would be arriving shortly. Still, no one knew anything.

As the Witch Doctor arrived riding in the back of one of the safari trucks the manager told everyone that is was time to gather together. One of the staff members took off running and threw himself into the reservoir and tried to drown himself. When they fished him out he couldn't confess fast enough. The tusks had been hidden just outside camp.

The Appie said the camp staff was pretty impressed. The Witch Doctor was so powerful that he had not even needed to get out of the truck......

I recomend you read 'Witchdoctor' by Michael Gelfand. Michael was the Chief medical officer for Southern Rhodesia and made a very detailed study of African Beliefs and also witchcraft- as he was frequently called in as a witness in various trials...

In october 1992, a witchdoctor toled all the local tribesmen that I would be killed before the end of the next april...I took a bullet through the shoulder on easter monday 1993...

As Jason points out, witch doctors DO find things.
A few years ago we had a trickle of items missing from the house--a rabbit, plates and glasses, and my wife's underwear. The housegirl suggested we call the witch doctor. Then one of the askaris came forward and said, "the rabbit, I took. The plates and glasses, I took. But I did not take Mama's underwear." We left it at that and had no further problems and had no need to actually call the witchdoctor.
In Half a Life, VS Naipal recounts a similar story where the threat of the witchdoctor (coming tomorrow, coming tomorrow...) was enough to return missing items to their place.

Does benefiting from others' belief in witchcraft constitute a sin?