Witchcraft Wealth and Disability Reinterpretation of a folk belief in contemporary urban Africa
Many groups in sub Saharan Africa have historically linked persons with disabilities with witchcraft as a component of a wider link between accusations of witchcraft and socially marginalized populations. It is commonly assumed that traditional prejudices towards persons with disabilities are receding in light of urbanization, education, mass media and efforts to confront such prejudice and stigma by governments, disability advocates and civil society. Ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) by many African countries is considered an additional impetus for change. While beliefs differ throughout the region, there is an unsettling trend in many urban areas where traditional beliefs linking disability with witchcraft are being reinterpreted. Fuelled by quest for rapid social and economic advancement, urban 'witch doctors' promote beliefs that individuals and families can prosper if they perform rituals or sacrifice involving abuse, mutilation or killing of children and adults with disabilities. These beliefs are reinforced in popular media and some Pentecostal churches where disability is linked to evil spirits or the devil, while 'cure' of disability is linked to virtue and prosperity. Based on literature review and fieldwork in Tanzania and Uganda we argue here that with rapid urbanization, links between witchcraft and disability in contemporary African popular urban culture is an issue of concern that must be acknowledged and addressed.