Counter-magic and uncrossing
Sorcery accusation in Papua New Guinea
The belief that a death or illness is caused by sorcery, and the violent accusations of sanguma or witchcraft that follow. A harm, not a rite to copy.
Presented by ClearTrust Customs described as customs, free to read.
In many parts of Papua New Guinea, people attribute sudden death, illness and misfortune to sorcery, called sanguma or glasman and by other local names. When a person dies, a family or village may accuse someone of being a sorcerer or witch, usually a woman, an older person or a stranger, and these accusations can be followed by torture and killing.
This is an outline of a custom, said as belief and practice. It is not instruction, it does not say that the rite works, and it is not medical advice.
What goes into it
- Belief in sorceryWordThe explanation of a sudden death.
- AccusationGestureMade by a family or village.
- Community confrontationSpaceOften public and violent.
- Local safe housesSpaceOffer refuge.
- Law and educationToolUsed to reduce the harm.
- Word
- Gesture
- Space
- Tool
Each part has an equal wedge. The ring shows what goes into the rite, not how much. Colour is the part's role.
The steps, drawn
Each drawing shows the kind of act in that step. Details differ from place to place, family to family and practitioner to practitioner.
Step 1: Gather A person dies or falls ill suddenly and no cause is accepted. Step 2: Speak The family looks for someone to blame, sometimes consulting a diviner. Step 3: Bind An accused person is named, and may be attacked or driven out. Step 4: Rest Police, churches and women's groups may intervene and offer shelter. Step 5: Close Education and legal change are the response, not a ceremony.
What happens
Accused persons have been beaten, burned and killed, and others forced to flee their homes. Cases from Mount Hagen and Bougainville have been widely reported. Human rights groups and church organisations record dozens of deaths a year, though counts are uncertain.
Law and response
The Sorcery Act of 1971 recognised sorcery as a defence in some matters, and it was repealed in 2013 together with a move to harsher penalties for killings. Police and courts are overstretched, and many cases do not reach court. Churches and women's groups run safe houses and education.
Why it matters to scholars
Researchers link the accusations to the weak health service, to land disputes, to social change and to a belief that all death has a cause. Efforts by local communities to challenge the belief and protect the accused are described in recent studies.
What it is for
- Explaining death
- A source of harm to the accused
- Community fear
Who does it
Related entries
Also part of it, and being written: Witch-hunt (The wider category.), Sanguma (The local term.), Witchcraft (The human-rights view.).
Sources and further reading
Original text and drawings by the EveryJaadu desk, written with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Closed or sacred detail is left out. If we have something wrong, tell us.