A person does not become a Azande witch; he or she is born one. The genetics of a person becoming a witch are determined by their witchcraft-substance. All children of a witch father will have witches sons. All of a mother’s daughters will become witches if she is a witch. “Witchcraft” can be described as an organic and hereditary phenomena, as stated in the title. According to the Azande, the witchcraft-substance is found in one’s stomach and attached to the liver.
Although all the Azande entirely believe in witches, sorcerers, and the witchcraft-substance, it hasn’t been seen that a witch accepts his or her crimes. The poison oracle identifies witches as those who don’t want to inflict injury or death on anyone. Witches in the Azande don’t have conscious control over how they manipulate others. Even if someone acts with ill-will towards another, they may not realize how or when they were bewitching someone. Some people are aware that they have bewitched others and don’t realize it. Even if Zandes aren’t sure they bewitched someone, it is not common for them to show anger or offence when a fowl is placed on their doorstep. A Zande will instead try to prove his innocence, emphasizing that his kinsmen don’t have witchcraft-substance and have never been accused of being able to bewitch anyone. Zandes are known to follow the traditions of their community and throw water at it, saying that if they do have witchcraft in their belly, it is because he isn’t aware of it. A Zande is referring to the witch-craft substance being kept cool. They want it to be inactive and not cause harm.
The witchcraft-substance is thought to attach to the liver of witches. It is tested during autopsies. However, witchcraft-substance can appear as a brightly lit light. It is visible at night only to those who aren’t witches. Bewitched people are often afflicted by a painful injury that causes a slow death. Witchcraft is distinct from sorcery. The Azande embraces witchcraft, and every day problems are usually linked to witchcraft. Zandes might attribute poor hunting trips to witchcraft.
This perception is shared by the Azande, who see the two spears as the cause and the effect of witchcraft. One would view the first spear as too close to fire and see it as witchcraft if the homestead is destroyed. As mentioned, witches don’t possess the ability to bewitch, and they don’t form groups. The Azande believe that witches live a secret life, where they kill with others and display their intelligence.
