Witch-hunting and political legitimacy: continuity and change in Green Valley, Lebowa, 1930–91

Abstract

Abstract With reference to the history of the village of Green Valley in the South African bantustan of Lebowa over the past six decades, this article examines the complex relation-ship between witch-hunting and political action. I argue against common notions in anthropological literature that political actors engage in witch-hunting in an attempt to mystify exploitation or to intimidate opponents. Such notions overemphasise the instrumental dimensions of the witchcraft complex and pay insufficient attention to its intrinsic/existential dimension as a personalised explanation of misfortune. By taking full cognisance of the latter, witch-hunting can be seen as a creative attempt to eliminate evil and avoid the future occurrence of misfortune. It is argued that, through time, chiefs and Comrades have found it politically convenient to identify and punish witches in their efforts to attain legitimacy among villagers.