Mike Yared
Guest
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 Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 11:11 pm Post subject: Witchcraft, sorcery, magic and other psychological phenomena |
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Witchcraft, sorcery, magic and other psychological phenomena and their
implications on military and paramilitary operations in the Congo
The use of witchcraft, sorcery, and magic by insurgent elements in the
Republic of the Congo (Leopoldville). Magical practices are said to be
effective in conditioning dissident elements and their followers to do
battle with Government troops. Rebel tribesmen seen to have been persuaded
that they can be made magically impervious to Congolese army firepower.
Their fear of Government forces was diminished and, conversely, fear of the
rebels grew within army ranks. A review of available literature indicates
that in Africa, uprisings embodying supernatural practices have tended to
occur generally whenever the continued physical safety or internal power
structure of a tribe or tribes has been seriously threatened. Manifestations
of witchcraft and sorcery in these instances can be said to reflect, in
part, a return to traditionalism. A tribe unites more readily when a threat
is explainable and solutions are propounded in terms of tribal common
denominators of belief. To determine the degree to which such a
generalization is applicable to the current situation in the Congo, a brief
recapitulation of certain aspects of recent Congolese history serves as a
useful point of departure. |
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