Living in the shadow of wizards

By Beverlyn Mawia

Witchcraft. This is one of the practices that has stood the test of time and even defied modern technology.

Witchcraft is the use of magical faculties, most commonly for religious, divinatory and medical purposes. The belief and practice of witchcraft has been present since the earliest human cultures and continues to have important religious and medicinal roles in many cultures.

Having grown up in Kyuso District, I was always warned not to visit certain homesteads or eat food given by certain people. I have grown up fearing that one day I will be bewitched and die or get a strange disease. You might be wondering ‘Does this really ever happen?’ Yes, it does. A jealous neighbor will visit a witchdoctor with an aim of ‘finishing’ you. 

Image of a wizard (Photo:Courtesy)

Politicians in Ukambani are suspected to seek the help of witchdoctors to secure their political positions and protect themselves from their political enemies. One of the most prominent politicians in Ukambani, is alleged to be always in the company of a feared witchdoctor called Musyoka wa Maiyo. Sources say that the politician takes orders from wa Maiyo who sometimes instructs him not to attend certain events as his life would be endangered.

Some popular businessmen in the region are also suspected to have sought the help of witchdoctors to acquire their wealth. 

Due to the fear of this strong witchdoctors living in our midst, most people are afraid that eating food from certain people might be their end since this food could be bewitched.

Some farmers acquire kamuti, a charm that will enable them to increase their farm produce.

Women are also known to be frequent clients of these witchdoctors. Most women visit the witchdoctors to get charms that will enable them to retain their husbands. Other women ask for charms that will harm the women that their husbands are running around with. 

Why has the practice of witchcraft reduced over the years? There is the fear that you will bewitch an ‘untouchable’ person and this will be the end of you. The ‘untouchable’ people are those that have acquired stronger charms to prevent them from being the prey of jealous and hateful neighbors. Woe unto you if you do not have these charms popularly known as kavwere. Christians also believe that they are untouchable because the blood of Jesus Christ has covered them. Therefore, if you do not fall under any of these two categories you are an easy prey.