Attached to Paper Session
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Introduction
On May 30, 1999, in Oshodi-Apapa, Lagos, a couple thought they hit a girl with their car but found a cat under the tyre instead. Believing it had transformed from the girl, they tried to kill it with bystanders' help. Despite being struck and set on fire, the cat survived until it was finally killed by passing vehicles (Elebuibon 2022, 178). On March 31, 2017, in Surulere, Lagos, an older woman was brutally lynched by an irate mob after a young boy's allegation that the stray cat he had hit had transformed into the woman in question, who then asserted they were 16 cats in total (Thandiubani 2017).
These incidents illustrate the deep-rooted beliefs in Nigeria linking cats to witchcraft and malevolence, particularly within the Yoruba Pentecostal context. This proposal explores how esoteric and religious beliefs intersect with views on cats, witchcraft, femicide, and collective violence.
Purpose
Throughout history, cats have played various roles worldwide. In ancient Egypt, they were revered and symbolised by the goddess Bastet, who represented protection, fertility, and domesticity. Conversely, during the Middle Ages, cats, particularly black cats, were maligned due to associations with witchcraft and demonology, a view supported by the papal bull Vox_in_Rama (Théry 2017). This led to widespread persecution and killing of cats, reinforcing their negative symbolism.
In contemporary Italy, this stigma persists, with thousands of black cats reportedly killed annually for ritualistic purposes or their fur. Similarly, within Yoruba culture, *Ológbò* (cats) are feared for their supposed spiritual abilities, believed to be used by witches and wizards for malevolent purposes. This has fostered general apprehension towards cats, impacting their treatment and perception.
These cultural and historical views have been integrated into Nigerian Pentecostalism through religious syncretism, influencing the movement's beliefs and practices, particularly spiritual warfare and prosperity theology (Wariboko 2014).
Research Questions
How do accusations of witchcraft, the demonisation of cats, and femicide interconnect within Nigerian Yoruba Pentecostalism, and what are the implications for social justice and gender equality?
Importance of the Project
Witchcraft-related femicide refers to the killing of women or girls based on accusations of practising witchcraft or being witches (Harmes and Russell 2001). It persists in many African countries, with Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa commonly employing the method of burning, while Zimbabwe resorts to stoning (Watts, Osam, and Win 2001, 91).
In Nigeria and Yorubaland, women predominantly targeted are older individuals with low-income backgrounds, disabilities, and cognitive impairments, with the latter often falling victims when found wandering in unusual places due to a lack of general awareness of the disease. These women are frequently accused of recruiting children into witchcraft, transforming into animals such as cats and birds for clandestine gatherings, where they allegedly harm others, and being responsible for various misfortunes (Ayelotan 2023). These deep-seated cultural-religious beliefs are perpetuated by Nigerian Pentecostal churches through their focus on spiritual warfare, sermons, and deliverance rituals aimed at eradicating witches and their perceived abilities (Wariboko 2014).
As a result, across Nigeria, there have been consecutive instances of public lynching, also known as ‘jungle justice’, targeting not just alleged witches but also cats suspected of being involved in the phenomenon.
Methodological Approach
This study employs symbolic interactionism (SI), a micro-level theory, to investigate the relationship between religious beliefs and collective violence, rejection, and abandonment of cats. SI delves into how individuals' perceptions, experiences, and cultural norms shape their beliefs. It outlines a framework where meanings, interactions, and interpretations are interlinked, emphasising how beliefs and cognitive processes influence actions and interactions, such as language and behaviour (Blumer 1969). These interactions are then interpreted within various social contexts.
Applying this theory aims to reveal how religious convictions mould attitudes towards cats, resulting in detrimental actions; examines how the symbolic interpretations of cats and witchcraft influence community interactions and behaviours; and illuminates how religious beliefs foster collective violence and the stigmatisation of women accused of witchcraft.
This study examines the ties between cats, witchcraft, and femicide among the Yoruba, aiming to explore the underlying causes of such violence through ethnographic interviews with twenty women. Insights from these interviews will inform interventions to stop witchcraft-related violence and femicides, advancing social justice and gender equality. The inclusion of ethnographic interviews aims to capture the affected individuals' experiences, enhancing the study's depth and validity.
Conclusion
This study, grounded in symbolic interactionism, reveals the complex interplay between witchcraft-related femicide and the demonisation of cats within Nigerian Yoruba Pentecostalism, highlighting cultural and religious underpinnings of societal behaviours. It emphasises the imperative for interventions that challenge entrenched beliefs and promote gender equality and social justice, aiming to mitigate violence stemming from witchcraft accusations.
References
Ayelotan, Claire P. 2023. "The pastor’s ‘love offering’: prosperity gospel and a child witchcraft accusation narrative." Practical Theology 720-733.
Blumer, Herbert. 1969. Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. Berkeley/Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Elebuibon, Yemi. 2022. The Invisible Powers of the Metaphysical World: A Peep into the World of Witches. Osogbo: Ancient Philosophy Institute.
Falola, Toyin, and Akintunde Akinyemi. 2016. Encyclopedia of the Yoruba. Bloomington & Indianapolis: Indiana University Press.
Harmes, Roberta A., and Diana E. H. Russell. 2001. Femicide in Global Perspective. New York: Teachers’ College Press.
Olukoya, D.K. 1999d. Overpowering Witchcraft. Yaba, Lagos: Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
Onyinah, Opoku. 2012. Pentecostal Exorcism: Witchcraft and Demonology in Ghana. 1st Edition. Dorset: Deo Publishing.
Tayo, Ayomide O. 2022. 5 Animals that Africans see as evil. 8 February. Accessed February 11, 2022. https://www.pulse.ng/lifestyle/food-travel/5-animals-that-africans-see-a....
Thandiubani. 2017. Witchcraft: Watch Video of Alleged Cat That Turned into a Woman in Lagos State. 31 March. Accessed June 13, 2017. https://www.tori.ng/news/58033/witchcraft-watch-video-of-alleged-cat-tha....
Théry, Julien. 2017. "APOSCRIPTA database – Lettres des papes: aposcripta-666." TELMA (IRHT). Accessed April 22, 2023. http://telma-chartes.irht.cnrs.fr/aposcripta/notice-acte/26666.
Wariboko, Nimi. 2014. Nigerian Pentecostalism. 1st Edition. Rochester: University of Rochester Press.
Watts, Charlotte, Susanna Osam, and Everjoice Win. 2001. “Femicide in Southern Africa.” In Femicide in Global Perspective, by Diana E. H. Russell and Roberta A. Harmes, 89–99. New York: Teachers College Press.
Abstract for Online Program Book (maximum 150 words)
This proposal examines the links between witchcraft accusations, femicide, and cat vilification within Nigerian Yoruba Pentecostalism, exploring how religious beliefs and cultural traditions contribute to violence against women and animals. In Yoruba communities, cats are often associated with witchcraft, leading to their persecution and the targeted killing of women accused of witchcraft. Utilising symbolic interactionism, this study aims to understand the social dynamics and stigmatisation driving these acts, focusing on the interplay of religious interpretations and cultural attitudes. It highlights the urgent need for interventions to address these harmful practices, contributing to discussions on social justice, gender equality, and animal welfare. By investigating these issues, the research underscores the impact of esoteric beliefs on societal development and the importance of challenging these beliefs for more inclusive, equitable societies.