Only in Papua New Guinea, its people still doing witch hunting if something bad happen to them

News24xx.com - Papua New Guinea is one of the few places in the world where witch-hunting still happens. Witch-hunting was encouraged until 2013, where it was considered a serious offence. But the reason why witch-hunting still happens there because it is still full of traditional magic and ancient spirits.

The highland of Papua New Guinea itself is a dangerous place. Some of the areas had not been explored by westerners until 1930s. But the people who live in the lowland have been in contact with the outside world for centuries.

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Most of the ancient people of Papua New Guinea thought that disease, death or lost of cattle were caused by a witch’s magic. This spiritual point of view still strongly influences the people’s belief. That is why, when something bad happens, they quickly hunt for a witch who they think causes it.

The witch-hunting does not only happen around the highland, but also the towns. The government of Papua New Guinea admits that it is a serious problem.

One of the popular cases happened in 2013. At that time, a 20-year-old woman was burned alive. Her daughter was accused of being a witch and was tortured as well, though her life was saved in the end.

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At this moment, Papua New Guinea is experiencing fast industrialization. Industrialization and capitalism cause some problems, like unemployment and financial insecurity due to economic fluctuation. Furthermore, global trading and travel cause some disease that previously is not there, like HIV for example, to spread. These modern problems are sometimes blamed on black magic.

When something bad happens, people try to find the reason why it happens. On the other hand, such spiritual point of view is what influences their culture.

The belief of magic still strongly permeates the culture of Papua New Guinea. Many people who live in the highland are only exposed recently to the scientific explanation of the problems they face.

 

 

 

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