Gendered injustice? power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana

Witchcraft accusations are seen as something that was part of the medieval past; however, they remain a searing concern for Northern Ghana, disproportionately targeting elderly women and perpetuating gendered injustices. This study analyses the power dynamics and intersectionalities involved in th...

Täydet tiedot

Bibliografiset tiedot
Päätekijä: Abukari, Ridwan
Muut tekijät: Humanistis-yhteiskuntatieteellinen tiedekunta, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Yhteiskuntatieteiden ja filosofian laitos, Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Jyväskylän yliopisto, University of Jyväskylä
Aineistotyyppi: Pro gradu
Kieli:eng
Julkaistu: 2025
Aiheet:
Linkit: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/101363
_version_ 1833407613958619136
author Abukari, Ridwan
author2 Humanistis-yhteiskuntatieteellinen tiedekunta Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Yhteiskuntatieteiden ja filosofian laitos Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
author_facet Abukari, Ridwan Humanistis-yhteiskuntatieteellinen tiedekunta Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Yhteiskuntatieteiden ja filosofian laitos Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä Abukari, Ridwan Humanistis-yhteiskuntatieteellinen tiedekunta Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Yhteiskuntatieteiden ja filosofian laitos Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy Jyväskylän yliopisto University of Jyväskylä
author_sort Abukari, Ridwan
datasource_str_mv jyx
description Witchcraft accusations are seen as something that was part of the medieval past; however, they remain a searing concern for Northern Ghana, disproportionately targeting elderly women and perpetuating gendered injustices. This study analyses the power dynamics and intersectionalities involved in these accusations, focussing on how accusations are experienced by alleged witches and shaped by key actors in them. Inspired by a critical ethnographic approach, the study draws upon in-depth interviews (of 32 alleged witches and 2 traditional priests in Gnani-Tindang and Kpatinga witch camps), supplemented by documentary analysis, in examining the structural and cultural factors underpinning these accusations. Theoretically, intersectionality and Foucault's power/knowledge provide the analytical lens for the study. While intersectionality emphasises how social identities interact to create a unique form of vulnerability for accused women, Foucault's power/knowledge conception highlights how key actors with perceived knowledge of witchcraft justify accusations. The study demonstrated that witchcraft accusations follow a structured process, starting with specific triggers like sickness, nightmares, death, misfortunes or suspicions, ending up at witch-finding shrines, where these actors determine the guilt or exoneration. Further evidence was the femininization of witchcraft, as elderly and economically disadvantaged women, and those perceived to deviate from their gender roles, were accused and banished into deplorable conditions in witch camps. Accusations were then used as a social control mechanism and to reinforce gendered power relations. This study advances the broader conversations on gender, power, and cultural practices by highlighting how these accusations are used as instruments for maintaining gendered injustices and structural inequalities in Ghana and beyond. It prompts measures that address practices that underpin witchcraft accusations, including transforming traditional justice systems, public sensitization, and legal protection for accused persons. Future research can concentrate on the perspectives of accusers, community members, and accused men to provide a comprehensive understanding and interventions for witchcraft-related issues.
first_indexed 2025-04-11T20:00:26Z
format Pro gradu
free_online_boolean 1
fullrecord [{"key": "dc.contributor.advisor", "value": "Kontinen, Tiina", "language": null, "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "advisor", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.author", "value": "Abukari, Ridwan", "language": null, "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "author", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.date.accessioned", "value": "2025-04-11T05:34:37Z", "language": null, "element": "date", "qualifier": "accessioned", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.date.available", "value": "2025-04-11T05:34:37Z", "language": null, "element": "date", "qualifier": "available", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.date.issued", "value": "2025", "language": null, "element": "date", "qualifier": "issued", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.identifier.uri", "value": "https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/101363", "language": null, "element": "identifier", "qualifier": "uri", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.abstract", "value": "", "language": "fi", "element": "description", "qualifier": "abstract", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.abstract", "value": "Witchcraft accusations are seen as something that was part of the medieval past; however, they remain a searing concern for Northern Ghana, disproportionately targeting elderly women and perpetuating gendered injustices. This study analyses the power dynamics and intersectionalities involved in these accusations, focussing on how accusations are experienced by alleged witches and shaped by key actors in them. Inspired by a critical ethnographic approach, the study draws upon in-depth interviews (of 32 alleged witches and 2 traditional priests in Gnani-Tindang and Kpatinga witch camps), supplemented by documentary analysis, in examining the structural and cultural factors underpinning these accusations. Theoretically, intersectionality and Foucault's power/knowledge provide the analytical lens for the study. While intersectionality emphasises how social identities interact to create a unique form of vulnerability for accused women, Foucault's power/knowledge conception highlights how key actors with perceived knowledge of witchcraft justify accusations. The study demonstrated that witchcraft accusations follow a structured process, starting with specific triggers like sickness, nightmares, death, misfortunes or suspicions, ending up at witch-finding shrines, where these actors determine the guilt or exoneration. Further evidence was the femininization of witchcraft, as elderly and economically disadvantaged women, and those perceived to deviate from their gender roles, were accused and banished into deplorable conditions in witch camps. Accusations were then used as a social control mechanism and to reinforce gendered power relations. This study advances the broader conversations on gender, power, and cultural practices by highlighting how these accusations are used as instruments for maintaining gendered injustices and structural inequalities in Ghana and beyond. It prompts measures that address practices that underpin witchcraft accusations, including transforming traditional justice systems, public sensitization, and legal protection for accused persons. Future research can concentrate on the perspectives of accusers, community members, and accused men to provide a comprehensive understanding and interventions for witchcraft-related issues.", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "abstract", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.provenance", "value": "Submitted by Paivi Vuorio (paelvuor@jyu.fi) on 2025-04-11T05:34:37Z\nNo. of bitstreams: 0", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "provenance", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.provenance", "value": "Made available in DSpace on 2025-04-11T05:34:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0\n Previous issue date: 2025", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "provenance", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.format.extent", "value": "108", "language": null, "element": "format", "qualifier": "extent", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.language.iso", "value": "eng", "language": null, "element": "language", "qualifier": "iso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights", "value": "In Copyright", "language": null, "element": "rights", "qualifier": null, "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.other", "value": "witchcraft accusations", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "other", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.other", "value": "power/knowledge", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "other", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.other", "value": "Northern Ghana", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "other", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.other", "value": "gendered injustice", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "other", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.other", "value": "cultural beliefs", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "other", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.title", "value": "Gendered injustice? : power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana", "language": null, "element": "title", "qualifier": null, "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type", "value": "master thesis", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": null, "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.identifier.urn", "value": "URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202504113192", "language": null, "element": "identifier", "qualifier": "urn", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.faculty", "value": "Humanistis-yhteiskuntatieteellinen tiedekunta", "language": "fi", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "faculty", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.faculty", "value": "Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences", "language": "en", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "faculty", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.department", "value": "Yhteiskuntatieteiden ja filosofian laitos", "language": "fi", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "department", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.department", "value": "Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy", "language": "en", "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "department", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.organization", "value": "Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4n yliopisto", "language": null, "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "organization", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.contributor.organization", "value": "University of Jyv\u00e4skyl\u00e4", "language": null, "element": "contributor", "qualifier": "organization", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.discipline", "value": "Kansainv\u00e4linen kehitysty\u00f6 (maisteriohjelma)", "language": "fi", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "discipline", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.discipline", "value": "Master's Degree Programme in Development and International Cooperation", "language": "en", "element": "subject", "qualifier": "discipline", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type.coar", "value": "http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_bdcc", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": "coar", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights.copyright", "value": "\u00a9 The Author(s)", "language": "fi", "element": "rights", "qualifier": "copyright", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights.accesslevel", "value": "openAccess", "language": null, "element": "rights", "qualifier": "accesslevel", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.type.publication", "value": "masterThesis", "language": null, "element": "type", "qualifier": "publication", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "syrj\u00e4ytyminen", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "noituus", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "sukupuoli", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "naiset", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "intersektionaalisuus", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "valta", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "eriarvoisuus", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.subject.yso", "value": "noidat", "language": null, "element": "subject", "qualifier": "yso", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.rights.url", "value": "https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/", "language": null, "element": "rights", "qualifier": "url", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.accessibilityfeature", "value": "unknown accessibility", "language": "en", "element": "description", "qualifier": "accessibilityfeature", "schema": "dc"}, {"key": "dc.description.accessibilityfeature", "value": "ei tietoa saavutettavuudesta", "language": "fi", "element": "description", "qualifier": "accessibilityfeature", "schema": "dc"}]
id jyx.123456789_101363
language eng
last_indexed 2025-05-21T20:06:32Z
main_date 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z
main_date_str 2025
online_boolean 1
online_urls_str_mv {"url":"https:\/\/jyx.jyu.fi\/bitstreams\/ec25c1dd-88f9-43b6-befd-aff042aab2dc\/download","text":"URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202504113192.pdf","source":"jyx","mediaType":"application\/pdf"}
publishDate 2025
record_format qdc
source_str_mv jyx
spellingShingle Abukari, Ridwan Gendered injustice? : power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana witchcraft accusations power/knowledge Northern Ghana gendered injustice cultural beliefs Kansainvälinen kehitystyö (maisteriohjelma) Master's Degree Programme in Development and International Cooperation syrjäytyminen noituus sukupuoli naiset intersektionaalisuus valta eriarvoisuus noidat
title Gendered injustice? : power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana
title_full Gendered injustice? : power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana
title_fullStr Gendered injustice? : power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana Gendered injustice? : power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Gendered injustice? : power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana Gendered injustice? : power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana
title_short Gendered injustice?
title_sort gendered injustice power analysis of witchcraft accusations in northern ghana
title_sub power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana
title_txtP Gendered injustice? : power analysis of witchcraft accusations in Northern Ghana
topic witchcraft accusations power/knowledge Northern Ghana gendered injustice cultural beliefs Kansainvälinen kehitystyö (maisteriohjelma) Master's Degree Programme in Development and International Cooperation syrjäytyminen noituus sukupuoli naiset intersektionaalisuus valta eriarvoisuus noidat
topic_facet Kansainvälinen kehitystyö (maisteriohjelma) Master's Degree Programme in Development and International Cooperation Northern Ghana cultural beliefs eriarvoisuus gendered injustice intersektionaalisuus naiset noidat noituus power/knowledge sukupuoli syrjäytyminen valta witchcraft accusations
url https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/101363 http://www.urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:jyu-202504113192
work_keys_str_mv AT abukariridwan genderedinjusticepoweranalysisofwitchcraftaccusationsinnorthernghana