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| Photo: http://fenza.org/fingers/your_experiences/ |
As I flipped through pages of some old religious magazine, rays of old memories with some old religious men my Father connected me to, set my memory eyes gaze at the great moments of the times. Quickly, a thought of grasping some news from the Missionaries of Africa blog led me to set my hands on my gadgets.
Fast, browsing through, and an article coloured with a slide of beautiful pictures of some Missionaries attracted my attention. As I googled some Missionaries's names Father Bernhard made my mind to ping down seven years, and I could not hesitate to read about one of his old research work.
I attended a week long workshop (some good about 7 years ago) facilitated by the Father Bernhard, the Author of the quoted book, as part of a research of which this book is a fruit. Several practices undertaken by Witch Doctors in some local language known as Bakamucapi (traditionally believed to have the spiritual powers to foretell problems, determine the cause and grab witches off-their magical powers - sometimes referred to in Bemba as Ukucapa; spiritual cleansing) were exposed by ex-right hand men to Witch Doctors also in some local language referred to as abana-manga, who understood how the false practices are conducted .
It is a proven fact that most practices by Witch Doctors are hogwash, and a bunch of primitive acts of intimidation to fulfill broad-day lies-unfortunately to desperate souls. An 8 years research journey has brought about very interesting topics and discussion, just so relevant to the current religious landscape in Zambia. The old day buzz of Witch Doctors who could sort of ambush a particular community with the so called spiritual cleansing trails, has no doubt been amplified in today's so much acclaimed Christian-Charismatic approach of distorted theology. Seemingly, in there hides and resurfaces the old Witch Doctors in the skin of Prophets with a blend of rhetoric philosophies, yet so misleading especially when it comes to dealing with the unseen World, and poverty.
Fast, browsing through, and an article coloured with a slide of beautiful pictures of some Missionaries attracted my attention. As I googled some Missionaries's names Father Bernhard made my mind to ping down seven years, and I could not hesitate to read about one of his old research work.
I attended a week long workshop (some good about 7 years ago) facilitated by the Father Bernhard, the Author of the quoted book, as part of a research of which this book is a fruit. Several practices undertaken by Witch Doctors in some local language known as Bakamucapi (traditionally believed to have the spiritual powers to foretell problems, determine the cause and grab witches off-their magical powers - sometimes referred to in Bemba as Ukucapa; spiritual cleansing) were exposed by ex-right hand men to Witch Doctors also in some local language referred to as abana-manga, who understood how the false practices are conducted .
It is a proven fact that most practices by Witch Doctors are hogwash, and a bunch of primitive acts of intimidation to fulfill broad-day lies-unfortunately to desperate souls. An 8 years research journey has brought about very interesting topics and discussion, just so relevant to the current religious landscape in Zambia. The old day buzz of Witch Doctors who could sort of ambush a particular community with the so called spiritual cleansing trails, has no doubt been amplified in today's so much acclaimed Christian-Charismatic approach of distorted theology. Seemingly, in there hides and resurfaces the old Witch Doctors in the skin of Prophets with a blend of rhetoric philosophies, yet so misleading especially when it comes to dealing with the unseen World, and poverty.
Witchcraft accusations and witchcraft experiences breakdown communities. In Zambia, as in other African countries, they give rise to much violence and abuse.
As Fr. Bernhard puts it, "Christian Churches can play an important role in addressing witchcraft related violence, if they manage to enter the social, symbolic and spiritual worlds in which witchcraft plays itself out. However, they can also trap the helper in a maze of suspicions, fear and accusations. Church answers have often sidelined beliefs in witchcraft and spirits into the world of superstition. Or, to the contrary, they have magnified them within the idiom of spiritual warfare. [The book] Unseen Worlds offers a third way for the helper, which is person-centred, not demon-centred, building on people’s own experiences and concepts and moving towards transformation."
It is clear Zambia and Africa at large needs a better understanding of the witchcraft, satanism and spirits phenomena, and drive towards transformation. More so there is urgent need to realign people's perspective on the popular spiritual healing and deliverance, and to a larger extent the unsound charismatic approach which dwells on the distorted Theology of healing and prosperity.
The book- Unseen Worlds...addresses pastors, teachers, counsellors, prayer companions, deliverance ministries, college students, historians, anthropologists, development workers and family helpers.
Unseen Worlds offers a culturally sensitive approach to spiritual healing and deliverance that does not divorce spiritual matters from corresponding human conditions, relationships and family issues. While categories of “true” and “false” are not easily applied to spiritual attacks, any experience that touches a person on a deep level always has a spiritual dimension that this book explores and responds to.
This has just come at the right time...
In another article, I will share lessons I learnt from the one week training and exploration with Father Bernhard during his research on the subject matter.
In another article, I will share lessons I learnt from the one week training and exploration with Father Bernhard during his research on the subject matter.
More details about the book and how to purchase it can be found HERE
