April 7, 2010

Diversity we just can’t get enough of.

Sorcery, witchcraft (evil employment of mystical power), evil magicians, witches, medicine-men and priests still play an important role in the life of many Africans. . . . The costs of irrationalism, says [Cameroonian Daniel] Etounga-Manguelle, are high: "Sorcery also extends to government. Witch doctors surround African presidents, and nothing that really matters in politics occurs without recourse to witchcraft. Occult counselors, responsible for assuring that authorities keep their power by detecting and neutralizing possible opponents, have power that the most influential Western advisors would envy. The witch doctors often amass fortures, and they themselves end up with official designations, enjoying the direct exercise of power."

There is also a widespread irrational belief in Africa that aids can be cured by magic or having sex with teen-age virgins (the more the better), or eating and drinking according to a regulated or prescribed system. The latter is advocated by South-Africa's Minister of Health, Mrs. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who claims that garlic, African potatoes and olive oil can cure the disease.

Migrants from Africa take their views, habits, cultural and social manners with them. For example, Nigerians introduced voodoo practices to Holland, Belgium, Britain and Italy. Young girls from Nigeria are forced into prostitution by Nigerian traffickers and sent to Europe.
"Out of Africa: Illegal immigrants, crime, terrorism, polygamy and AIDS." By Emerson Vermaat, Militant Islam Monitor, 8/29/06 (emphasis added; footnotes omitted).

H/t: sshender commenting on "South Africa’s Second Coming: the Nongqawuse syndrome." By Richard Landes, Augean Stables, 4/4/10.

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