Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Test for Witches in Africa

Witch Trial Tests in Africa.

Powdered bark of the Nkasa tree is given to suspected witches as a test to prove innocence or guilt. In 2019 this is how witches are identified in Southern Malawi and rural Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa.


Powdered bark of the Nkasa tree is given to suspected witches as a test to prove innocence or guilt.


The nkasa tree test for witches and vampires is just one ritual for the test for witches in Southern Malawi and rural Democratic Republic of Congo African villages.

The nkasa tree is never cut for any other purpose except by the Nganga or witchdoctor cutting of a portion of its bark for the test for the witches ceremony. On the accusation of a person of witchcraft, if the accused vomits the powdered bark of the nkasa tree and live, they are innocent but if they die, they are guilty.

It is believed the bark of the tree is not poisonous and does not cause vomiting or the death of the person who takes it, but the spirit in the tree that reveals the witchcraft in the person. The nkasa tree spirit must be honored and when the Nganga is about to cut its bark for testing of a witch they honorably address the tree as Mwanda.

The nkasa tree spirits are active after the dusk hours the time when the underground gates swing wide open, and they are free to move around.

On the appointed day, great crowds gather to watch the witch-finding ritual. During this process, the accused must spread out their hands and is not allowed to touch anything.

After swallowing the powdered bark of the Nkasa tree the Nganga puts a curse on the accused witch, the curse that if they are a witch they will die by the ordeal.

Should the accused witch live that proves beyond all doubt that they are not a witch. The people lead them back to the town singing songs of praise. However, if the person dies from the ordeal, the body is burnt, and the ashes scattered to the wind.



Trees Used in Witch Trial Tests

African people are diverse within every 54 African countries. Made up of numerous tribes and people of many religious, social and ethnic groups within the geographical boundaries. The nkasa tree test for witches and vampires is just one ritual for the test for witches in Africa.

Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. African Country Names Your Saying Wrong
  2. What do Waist Beads Symbolize in Africa?
  3. About African Healers and Witchdoctors
  4. Hurricanes are Angry African Ancestors
  5. Highest Temperature and Lowest Temperature in Africa
  6. About African Night Running


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

More Articles to Read from Chic African Culture

Show more

This Week’s Best Posts and Pages

Food, Drink Offerings at Rock-Cut Tombs

Image
Loaves of bread, cakes, wine, water beer,  oils, and perfumes were offerings Ancient Egyptians offered to the deceased at Beni Hasan Rock-Cut Tombs. A rock-cut tomb is a type of burial structure that is created by carving or excavating directly into natural rock formations. Rock-cut tombs are literally carved or excavated out of solid rock. This means that the tomb chambers, corridors, and other features are created by removing the rock material from the surrounding natural formation. Many of these rock-cut tombs feature decorative elements, such as wall paintings, inscriptions, and carvings.  In the Beni Hasan Rock-Cut Tombs, the ancient Egyptians paid homage to their departed by presenting a variety of offerings. These included loaves of bread, cakes, wine, water, beer, oils, and perfumes. These offerings were a heartfelt gesture to honor and ensure the well-being of the deceased in the afterlife, reflecting the profound significance of their beliefs and funerary customs in ancient E
Read the Article

Architectural Glory: The Nouakchott Mosque of Mauritania

Image
Exploring the Nouakchott Mosque's Design   At first glance, the Nouakchott Mosque's most prominent feature is its soaring minaret, one of Africa's tallest. This towering structure serves as a call to prayer and a beacon that guides the faithful toward their place of worship. The minaret's height allows the call to prayer, or Adhan, to resonate far and wide, calling the community to come together for their daily prayers and congregational gatherings. It's common for mosques to be named based on their location, as in the Nouakchott Mosque in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The mosque's design pays homage to the classic elements of Islamic architecture. Like in many Islamic architectural designs, the dominant colors at the Nouakchott Mosque tend to be earthy and neutral tones, with white being a particularly prevalent color. These color choices have cultural and practical significance in Islamic architecture. Its grand entrance is adorned with intricate geometric patterns
Read the Article

Sand Traveling from the Shores of Ghana to New England

Image
The journey of a grain of sand from the shores of Ghana to New England, USA, is an important reminder of the interconnectedness of all existence.  It serves as a reminder that even the smallest and seemingly insignificant elements of our world are subject to the grand tapestry of natural processes and the relentless passage of time.  It also invites us to reflect on the intricate web of relationships that underlie our existence and the profound implications of our actions on the global scale. The journey of a grain of sand from the shores of Ghana to New England, USA, shows how interconnected our world is despite vast distances. Sand grains on the shores of Ghana, like those on coastlines worldwide, are constantly subject to natural processes such as erosion. Waves, tides, and weathering gradually break down rocks and minerals, producing sand. The Atlantic Ocean separates Ghana from the eastern United States. Ocean currents, including the North Atlantic Drift and the Gulf Stream, are c
Read the Article

Ancient Energy Source of Sarkin Ruwa

Image
The Ancient Energy of Sarkin Ruwa, the King of the Water Sarkin Ruwa is the West African Hausa culture revered spiritual energy, the guardian of all things water, making sure it flows and nourishes the Earth in the most extraordinary ways. In the grand tapestry of the natural world, few forces possess the mystique, the sheer might, and the profound influence that water holds. An embodiment of life and power, water transcends mere chemical composition, captivating our senses and imagination.  At the heart of this aquatic dominion stands a figure deserving of the loftiest accolades: Sarkin Ruwa, the King of the Water. To those who understand the true potential of this elemental ruler, it becomes evident that water's sovereignty reigns supreme. Imagine a realm that can both nurture and destroy, bestow life and take it away—a realm that can carve canyons out of rock and cradle civilizations with gentle tides. This is the kingdom of Sarkin Ruwa, where the ebb and flow of its currents po
Read the Article