The Dagbamba witchcraft and the concept of exorcism

Abstract

Witchcraft is considered as a feminine art in the Dagbamba society. The art is generally attributed to older women, but young women or even girls can sometimes be involved. This study sought to discuss the Dagbamba witchcraft and the concept of exorcism. The primary aim was to find out how witchcraft is perceived and understood by the Dagbamba and how this belief influences the lives of the people. The Tindanʒee Yili in Kpatinga is the main study area however; the findings were present in some other selected communities including Kpatinga, Gaa and Sampimo all under the Gushegu District. The research approach employed for this study was qualitative as it sought to understand and assess people‘s perception about witches in the Dagbamba society. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants for the study. Two main research instruments (interview and observation) were used. A total of forty two respondents, who qualified as key respondents for the research, participated in the study. The study sample comprised fifteen (15) resident respondents from Kpatinga, Gaa and Sampimo who perceived not to be witches were interviewed to get their perception about witchcraft. Five (5) opinion leaders including the Kpatinga chief, the assemblyman of the Sampimo electoral area, some religious leaders and traditional title holders were interviewed. In addition, the acting earth priest of the Tindanʒee camp and twenty one alleged witches from the camp who were between the ages of forty to seventy years were also interviewed. The study established that the belief in witchcraft and witchcraft activities is very common in the Ghanaian rural communities where the extended family systems existed. The study further established that people perceived to be witches are vulnerable in Dagbamba society and those who are being labelled as witches are suffering serious stigmatization as a consequence.