The 2008-2009 Gambia Inquisition: Old Wine in a New Bottle

Akpojevbe Omasanjuwa

Makale detayları

The 2008-2009 Gambia Inquisition: Old Wine in a New Bottle

Yazarlar:

Akpojevbe Omasanjuwa

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Kültürel Antropoloji

Dergi:

İstanbul Antropoloji Dergisi Issue 4, pp.51-82

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

1/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341079

pISSN:

2822-3365

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 This article examines an inquisition order issued by a former president of The Gambia, who hired witch-finders to eradicate alleged wizardry within the country. It presents a legal analysis, drawing comparisons with historical experiences from Europe, Africa, and Colonial America. The Age of Reason influenced the development of the English Law of Evidence, ultimately leading to the cessation of witchcraft inquisitions in England. However, this legal and ideological shift did not extend to colonial and postcolonial African states, largely because of distinct sociological factors. Consequently, the repugnancy clause in English law is inappropriate for addressing witchcraft-related cases in African contexts. The Gambian Presidents actions, similar to the European and Colonial American witch-hunts in the past, were driven by ulterior motives that prioritized personal authority over the rule of law. This dynamic, coupled with the complicity of state agencies, has undermined the constitutional framework. The analysis shows that practices conflicting with constitutional principles render any legislative or judicial endorsement of such practices unconstitutional. By bypassing existing legal frameworks, the Presidents approach mirrored the European inquisitions of the Mediaeval Era. This study underscores the importance of reevaluating African history through indigenous perspectives to develop alternative approaches to contemporary challenges, such as witchcraft accusations, while addressing the broader implications of historical legacies.

 This article examines an inquisition order issued by a former president of The Gambia, who hired witch-finders to eradicate alleged wizardry within the country. It presents a legal analysis, drawing comparisons with historical experiences from Europe, Africa, and Colonial America. The Age of Reason influenced the development of the English Law of Evidence, ultimately leading to the cessation of witchcraft inquisitions in England. However, this legal and ideological shift did not extend to colonial and postcolonial African states, largely because of distinct sociological factors. Consequently, the repugnancy clause in English law is inappropriate for addressing witchcraft-related cases in African contexts. The Gambian Presidents actions, similar to the European and Colonial American witch-hunts in the past, were driven by ulterior motives that prioritized personal authority over the rule of law. This dynamic, coupled with the complicity of state agencies, has undermined the constitutional framework. The analysis shows that practices conflicting with constitutional principles render any legislative or judicial endorsement of such practices unconstitutional. By bypassing existing legal frameworks, the Presidents approach mirrored the European inquisitions of the Mediaeval Era. This study underscores the importance of reevaluating African history through indigenous perspectives to develop alternative approaches to contemporary challenges, such as witchcraft accusations, while addressing the broader implications of historical legacies.

 This article examines an inquisition order issued by a former president of The Gambia, who hired witch-finders to eradicate alleged wizardry within the country. It presents a legal analysis, drawing comparisons with historical experiences from Europe, Africa, and Colonial America. The Age of Reason influenced the development of the English Law of Evidence, ultimately leading to the cessation of witchcraft inquisitions in England. However, this legal and ideological shift did not extend to colonial and postcolonial African states, largely because of distinct sociological factors. Consequently, the repugnancy clause in English law is inappropriate for addressing witchcraft-related cases in African contexts. The Gambian Presidents actions, similar to the European and Colonial American witch-hunts in the past, were driven by ulterior motives that prioritized personal authority over the rule of law. This dynamic, coupled with the complicity of state agencies, has undermined the constitutional framework. The analysis shows that practices conflicting with constitutional principles render any legislative or judicial endorsement of such practices unconstitutional. By bypassing existing legal frameworks, the Presidents approach mirrored the European inquisitions of the Mediaeval Era. This study underscores the importance of reevaluating African history through indigenous perspectives to develop alternative approaches to contemporary challenges, such as witchcraft accusations, while addressing the broader implications of historical legacies.

 This article examines an inquisition order issued by a former president of The Gambia, who hired witch-finders to eradicate alleged wizardry within the country. It presents a legal analysis, drawing comparisons with historical experiences from Europe, Africa, and Colonial America. The Age of Reason influenced the development of the English Law of Evidence, ultimately leading to the cessation of witchcraft inquisitions in England. However, this legal and ideological shift did not extend to colonial and postcolonial African states, largely because of distinct sociological factors. Consequently, the repugnancy clause in English law is inappropriate for addressing witchcraft-related cases in African contexts. The Gambian Presidents actions, similar to the European and Colonial American witch-hunts in the past, were driven by ulterior motives that prioritized personal authority over the rule of law. This dynamic, coupled with the complicity of state agencies, has undermined the constitutional framework. The analysis shows that practices conflicting with constitutional principles render any legislative or judicial endorsement of such practices unconstitutional. By bypassing existing legal frameworks, the Presidents approach mirrored the European inquisitions of the Mediaeval Era. This study underscores the importance of reevaluating African history through indigenous perspectives to develop alternative approaches to contemporary challenges, such as witchcraft accusations, while addressing the broader implications of historical legacies.

Makale detayları

The 2008-2009 Gambia Inquisition: Old Wine in a New Bottle

Yazarlar:

Akpojevbe Omasanjuwa

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Kültürel Antropoloji

Dergi:

İstanbul Antropoloji Dergisi Issue 4, pp.51-82

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

1/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341079

pISSN:

2822-3365

Witchcraft

The Gambia

Inquisition

Witchcraft Litigation

Religion

Sayı

Makale detayları

The 2008-2009 Gambia Inquisition: Old Wine in a New Bottle

Yazarlar: Akpojevbe Omasanjuwa

Yayıncı: Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar: Kültürel Antropoloji

Dergi: İstanbul Antropoloji Dergisi Issue 4, pp.51-82

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 1/2025

Belge Dili: İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.): 2001341079

pISSN: 2822-3365

Witchcraft

The Gambia

Inquisition

Witchcraft Litigation

Religion

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Akpojevbe Omasanjuwa

Yayıncı:

Istanbul University

Ana Başlıklar:

Kültürel Antropoloji

Dergi:

İstanbul Antropoloji Dergisi Issue 4, pp.51-82

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

1/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001341079

pISSN:

2822-3365