The institution of slavery
robbed Africa of many millions of able and creative people over hundreds of
years. It was organised from outside and profited outsiders. But there was also
a direct connection between slavery and witchcraft beliefs and practices:
convicted and suspected witches, if not killed in the poison ordeals, were sold
into slavery. The institution of slavery made it possible to get rid of
undesirable people in society and even to gain a marginal profit by the
sell-off. The images of witchcraft up to today resemble that of slavery:
victims of witchcraft are being controlled, used and sacrificed by the witches
and have their life-blood drained by witches, leaving them without a mind and
willpower of their own.
Bernhard Udelhoven, M.Afr.
