Witch camp

What it is

Witch camps are designated settlements in Ghana established to offer protection to women accused of practicing witchcraft. These individuals flee their home villages to escape violence, including lynching, which is a severe risk in some communities. The camps serve as sanctuaries for those ostracized by their neighbors or families. While the term implies a magical practice, the camps themselves are physical refuges for victims of social stigma and suspicion rather than centers for performing magic.

Where it comes from

Some camps are believed to have been established over a century ago, with origins potentially dating back to the early twentieth century. They emerged as a response to local fears and accusations against vulnerable women. Many residents are widows who are targeted by relatives seeking to seize their late husbands' property. Others are women suffering from mental illness, a condition that was historically poorly understood and often interpreted through supernatural lenses in these regions.

How it is done

The operation of these camps varies by location. In Gambaga, for example, women receive protection from the local chieftain in exchange for payment and labor in his fields. Residents generally live in basic conditions with inadequate housing and infrastructure. Food supplies are frequently insufficient, and the population has fluctuated over time as government policies shift between maintaining and closing these settlements.

What it is for

The primary purpose of a witch camp is survival and safety. Women enter these settlements to avoid being killed or driven out by their communities. Accusations often stem from economic motives, such as land grabs, or from unexplained behaviors associated with mental health issues. The camps provide a communal space for those who have lost their social standing and family support networks due to witchcraft allegations.

Who does it

The residents are primarily women, many of whom are elderly or widows. They are not practitioners of magic but rather individuals labeled as witches by others. Their status is defined by their victimhood and need for protection. Local chiefs may play a role in managing the camps, offering security in return for tribute and work, thereby integrating the camps into traditional power structures.

Peoples and places

Witch camps are found in Northern Ghana, with specific locations including Bonyasi, Gambaga, Gnani, Kpatinga, Kukuo, and Naabuli. As of 2020, four camps remained active, housing over five hundred people. The phenomenon is specific to Ghanaian cultural contexts where witchcraft accusations carry severe social consequences. The number of camps and residents has decreased due to government intervention aimed at reintegration and education.

What people believe

The existence of these camps is rooted in beliefs about witchcraft and its dangers. Communities hold that certain individuals possess harmful supernatural powers. Mental illness is often misinterpreted as evidence of witchcraft. The camps reflect a societal mechanism for dealing with fear and uncertainty, isolating those deemed dangerous rather than addressing underlying social or medical issues.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Reports from organizations like AWACC-Ghana and Humanist Global Charity highlight the difficult living conditions and growing numbers of residents. Scholars and activists note that these camps perpetuate stigma rather than resolve it. The persistence of witchcraft accusations indicates deep-seated cultural beliefs that conflict with modern legal and scientific understandings of mental health and human rights.

Compare and confuse

Witch camps differ from prayer camps, which focus on spiritual healing. They also contrast with ritual servitude, another form of exploitation involving children. While other cultures have mechanisms for dealing with suspected witches, the Ghanaian model of dedicated settlements is distinct. The term 'witch camp' specifically refers to these refugee-like communities in Northern Ghana.

Law and persecution

In July 2023, Ghana's Parliament passed a bill criminalizing witchcraft accusations. This legislation followed high-profile murders, including that of Akua Denteh. However, the bill required presidential assent to become law. Prior to this, the government had already begun closing several camps and promoting public education to dispel beliefs in witchcraft.

Questions people ask about Witch camp

Good reading and sources

• Video: withches of GambagaThe Guardian, Article
• Ghana witch camps: Widows' lives in exileBBC, Article

• Witch camp on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data