"Perhaps a million women were killed across Europe after being accused of witchcraft," observes Slate's Undercover Economist Tim Harford, and most of those met their fates during a witch burning fervor in the 16th and 17th centuries.
And while the persecution of witches is all but a faded memory in western culture, it is very much alive in parts of modern-day Africa. Half of all reported murders in Meatu, Tanzania are "witch killings," Harford reports.
The question is why. Why was witch hunting so prevalent in 17th-century Europe? Why is it so prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa today?
Harford offers an unconventional hypothesis.
And while the persecution of witches is all but a faded memory in western culture, it is very much alive in parts of modern-day Africa. Half of all reported murders in Meatu, Tanzania are "witch killings," Harford reports.
The question is why. Why was witch hunting so prevalent in 17th-century Europe? Why is it so prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa today?
Harford offers an unconventional hypothesis.
Comments
A million? Well, throughout Europe in an undefined timescale it’s difficult to say otherwise – but if we’re referring to the infamous Witch Hunt period (what tends to be referred to by some Wiccans as ‘the Burning Times’), then we’re looking in the region of about 50-100,000 people. Which, I’d suggest, is bad enough – but the historical estimates in millions are way off, at least for that period. Not that tens of thousands of deaths as a result of such stupidity isn’t bad enough.
I won’t attempt to comment on African witch killings, since I don’t know enough about the subject.
But it’s also worth pointing out that while women are more commonly accused of witchcraft, it’s not exclusive, and it’s wrong to perpetuate the notion that witch-hunts are an expression of misogyny above anything else (I don’t doubt it may be a factor). Better to say that X number of *people* have been accused or killed.
isn’t there a rumor going around about s. palin’s pastor chasing a witch out of some town he was stationed at as a pastor in kenya [?].
i don’t pay that much attention to politcal rumors which is why i only know the gist of the rumor.
I’m fairly sure that there are rumours to serve absolutely any point of view with regard to Sarah Palin – or indeed any other politician anywhere. I think you’re wise to pay no attention to them, since everyone who might wish to spread one will have a political agenda of some form.