Six studies in African anthropology by Max Gluckman
Professor of Social Anthropology 'in the University of Manchester
4-The Logic of Witchcraft
When persons are blamed for misfortunes for which they cannot be held responsible, that-properly speaking-is a witch-hunt. In African societies this practice is contained within a coherent system of beliefs; and, though accusations of witchcraft breed quarrels between people, they also exert pressure on men and women to observe the social virtues. In this lecture Professor Gluckman considers how far such accusations disrupt social relationships and how far they lead to readjustments in social ties within a wider social order.