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APN759885

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Witchcraft – The man who cuts his throat for a living! The drums throb, the swords flash … Garuba never fails to draw an enthralled crowd. Nigerians have heard strange tales about Garuba Mai Gani, the awesome wizard who cuts his throat for a living.

APN751621

Creator: George Angas Collection Description: The scene captures two young Zulu men, Umbambu and Umpengulu, adorned in vibrant traditional attire rich with fur, beads, and feathers. Umbambu, from a kraal near Umlazi, wears a striking eagle feather headdress and a kilt fashioned from animal furs and tails. Umpengulu showcases the back of his intricately beaded garment, complemented by an ivory snuff-spoon in his hair. Both wield knob-kirris used for rhythmic beats during dance. The setting is a kraal near Umlazi, featuring the entrance to the cattle-fold. Additionally, an anecdote reveals the Zulus' initial apprehension towards portraiture, associating it with witchcraft and supernatural powers. DISCLAIMER: THIS DIGITIZED RESOURCE CONTAINS COLONIAL-ERA MATERIALS WITH POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE AND ATTITUDES. APPROACH WITH HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND DISCRETION

APN751619

Creator: George Angas Collection Description: The scene depicts a hunting expedition led by Mathlapi, a wealthy Zulu warrior residing near the Engooi Mountains. Mathlapi hosts a grand hunting party involving two hundred participants from surrounding kraals. Equipped with weapons, they pursue buffalo and antelopes in the mimosa-filled valley. Mathlapi, characterized by his bloated countenance from excessive beer consumption, leads the hunt while intermittently indulging in alcohol. Dogs aid in game driving, and slain animals are sent to Mathlapi. The hunters periodically perform a lively hunting dance, enhancing the atmosphere. The group, including Mathlapi and important guests, rests between hunts, with boys lying on slain game to ward off witchcraft.

APN262465

Creator: William Ellerton Fry Collection Description: ELECTRIC LIGHT AT MACLOUTSIE CAMP The searchlight was lent to the expedition by the naval base at Simonstown. Johnson wrote of his incongruous addition to the Column's armoury: "It was a tremendous task pulling this heavy laod through unchartered 'bush', but the idea repaid me well, for I am quite certain that they [the light and the steam-engine] had the effect intended, of scaring off the Matabele who regarded them as witchcraft."

APN510369

Creator: Sowetan Description: 30/03/2015. Traditional healers speaking to ancestors during a campaign against ritual killings and witchcraft in Helena Village outside Polokwane hosted by the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cutural, Religion and Linguistic Communities. Photo: Thulani Mbele. © Sowetan/ Times Media

APN260625

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Ghana, 1962. Culture Clash: Herbal medicine could jolt the science world. Western science meets Ghanaian spiritualism as a woman confesses her witchery to a tape recorder. When the tape is replayed the woman recoils in fear.

APN260575

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Ghana, 1961. Unveiling the Truth About Juju: A Firsthand Account. We witnessed a scene that defied conventional understanding: a man, seemingly fallen or 'buried' in some ritualistic sense, with another individual attempting his revival using an assortment of cords and charms. This was our introduction to the world of juju, guided by an elder named Akakpovi Atandji. Akakpovi, with a serene reverence, held a curious object in his hand. He then poured a glass of sorabi, a local liquid, onto its tip. "If all the sorabi goes into this stick," he declared, "then the juju will work." We watched, perplexed, as the stick, despite having no visible hole, completely absorbed the entire glassful of liquid. Akakpovi's face lit up with satisfaction. His explanation of the juju's power was even more chilling. "You see this padlock here?" he began, holding up a small, old lock. "If I mention your name right now and lock it, you will die before the sun sets today." He continued, describing another equally potent curse: "If I take your spit from the ground and put it in the hole [of the lock] and lock it, your jaw will lock immediately; you will never talk again." This encounter offered a stark glimpse into the beliefs and practices surrounding juju, where seemingly impossible feats and dire consequences are attributed to the power of these spiritual objects and rituals. It certainly left us questioning the boundaries of the known world.

APN260566

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Ghana,1961. Juju: What is the Truth – The Drums pound and the Juju men fling themselves into a wild dance that acts as the preliminary to their fantastic feats. An attendant stands behind. "You want to see juju at work? Why, Amotive is the place!" "No, Agbomey is better! Go there, man!" "The place is Bioseh!" Yes, suggestions came by the million, when we said we wanted to see juju. No-one told us: "I have personally been to so-and so place and seen such and such wonders. I guarantee that if you go there, you will see and photograph the same wonders."

APN260538

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Ghana, 1961. Juju: What is the Truth – In a frightening blur of sharp steel the knife plunges towards the juju man's stomach. But it left no scar. An anxious woman looks on. I have told you the man was fat and strong looking. His antics heightened his frightening appearance and, man, we were afraid! I could see no logical reason for his anger. If he didn't want us to see his juju, okay – he had but to tell us and we could quit in double quick time. I suggested this to our guide, but he whispered to me to be quiet.

APN260529

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Ghana, 1961. Juju: What is the Truth – This juju man smashed a bottle on his head. He still holds the base of the bottle as the pieces fly – but he was not cut or bruised. Our guide seized the opportunity to tell the juju man that we had been completely flabbergasted by the performance we had just overheard. Having heard his juju speak, we had become convinced that he was a really wonderful man and we wanted right away to be allowed to see a bit more of the juju at work.

APN260527

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Ghana,1961. Juju: What is the Truth – The fear begins as the grave is dug. "You want to see juju at work? Why, Amotive is the place!" "No, Agbomey is better! Go there, man!" "The place is Bioseh!" Yes, suggestions came by the million, when we said we wanted to see juju. No-one told us: "I have personally been to so-and so place and seen such and such wonders. I guaranteed that if you go there, you will see and photograph the same wonders."

APN260526

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Ghana, 1961. Juju: What is the Truth – This young juju man was asked by his mother to come down from the roof. He replied by plunging the knife deep into his chest and got up, smiling afterwards. The picture shows the knife sliding into his chest..." You want to see juju at work? Why, Amotive is the place!" "No, Agbomey is better! Go there, man!" "The place is Bioseh!" Yes, suggestions came by the million, when we said we wanted to see the juju. No-one told us: "I have personally been to so-and so place and seen such and such wonders. I guarantee that if you go there, you will see and photograph the same wonders."

APN260524

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Ghana, 1961. Juju: What is the Truth – Tough thorny cactus spines are jabbed and rubbed against the skin – but the flesh does not tear away, he's left unmarked ... "You want to see juju at work? Why, Amotive is the place!" "No, Agbomey is better! Go there, man!" "The place is Bioseh!" Yes, suggestions came by the million, when we said we wanted to see juju. No-one told us: "I have personally been to so-and so place and seen such and such wonders. I guarantee that if you go there, you will see and photograph the same wonders."

APN260523

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Ghana, 1961. Juju: What is the Truth – As the fire blazes and drums beat out their rhythm, one of the men leaps into the blaze and dances in the straw. Others followed him..." You want to see juju at work? Why Amotive is the place!" "No, Agbomey is better! Go there, man!" "The place is Bioseh!" Yes, suggestions came by the million, when we said we wanted to see ju ju. No-one told us: "I have personally been to so-and so place and seen such and such wonders. I guaranteed that if you go there, you will see and photograph the same wonders."

APN255280

Creator: Drum Description: DM2008072410:NIGED:SOCIAL:WITCHCRAFT:MAY 1964 – The Confession of a witch – Madam Fariyike prays each day at Ajaye Apostolic Church. Prophet Ayodele also prays for her to ward off spirits of former witch circle. For 30 years she practiced evil witchcraft. She flew in the night like a terrible bird, and brought death to 30 people. These are the claims of Salamo Fariyike, who confesses her past to Dapo Daramola. Thirty years ago, at the age of 17, a young girl was offered what appeared to her to be an ordinary delicious akara ball for breakfast by her dying grandmother. The girl gratefully munched the akara and thanked granny for her kindness. But far from being the ordinary delicacy which the innocent girl thought it was, she claims that akara ball turned her life upside down – transforming her overnight from a pretty, kind-hearted, lovable girl to a vicious, cruel, blood-sucking witch. (Photograph by Drum Photographer ©BAHA)

APN255251

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: The Confession of a witch. For 30 Years she practiced evil witchcraft. She flew in the night like a terrible bird, and brought death to 30 people. These are the claims of Salamo Fariyike, who confesses her past to Dapo Daramola. Thirty years ago, at the age of 17, a young girl was offered what appeared to her to be an ordinary delicious akara ball for breakfast by her dying grandmother. The girl gratefully munched the akara and thanked granny for her kindness. But far from being the ordinary delicacy which the innocent girl thought it was, she claims that akara ball turned her life upside down transforming her overnight from a pretty, kind-hearted, lovable girl to vicious, cruel, blood-sucking witch.

APN252084

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Folk live in dread in the land of witchcraft – And what do the bones reveal? Blouberg Bapole consulted the bones when a neighbour’s child vanished. The bones “pointed” at someone, but the suspect shown by the bones was later acquitted. Man, you can’t even trust the bones nowadays!

APN252076

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Folk live in dread in the land of witchcraft – Rebecca Ratlou: “My father paid two pigs for my treatment. I gave birth to a child two months premature. She did not live, people are scared.” First three little kids vanished from their parents' huts. No sign of them although the parents looked and looked, and whole villages helped. Gone.

APN252071

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Folk live in dread in the land of witchcraft – Amos Ratlou: “When my grandchild was ill, I paid first with a goat, then two pigs, and later two donkeys. But the child did not improve. I also paid Mrs Rademeyer 5s. for the bones.” First three little kids vanished from their parents' huts. No sign of them although the parents looked and looked, and whole villages helped. Gone.

APN252069

Creator: Drum Description: SAED:SOCIAL:WITCHCRAFT:DRUM JULY 1959 – Folk live in dread in the land of withcraft – The wives of Frans Makoe prefer not to answer questions about their husband, also acquitted after being charged in Van der Berg murder. Makoe spent six months awaiting trial. .” First three little kids vanished from their parents’huts. No sign of them although the parents looked and looked, and whole villages helped. Gone. (Photograph by Peter Magubane ©Baileys Archives) Neg 4

APN252066

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Folk live in dread in the land of witchcraft – Efena, another daughter of Mr Ratlou, took her child to Mrs Rademeyer when she was ill. She says Mrs Rademeyer burnt some white powder and then listened to a horn. She was told that she ‒ not her daughter ‒ was sick.

APN252064

Creator: Drum Social Histories Description: Folk live in dread in the land of witchcraft – Asegaai Molifo and his wife were among those accused of the murder of an elderly white man, Mr van der Berg. Asegaai had to sell some of his cattle to get a lawyer. He plans to leave the area. There’s a hunt for witches around the little Transvaal town of Bronkhorstspruit. People are scared. First three little kids vanished from their parents' huts. No sign of them although the parents looked and looked, and whole villages helped. Gone.