Supernatural Powers
Mike Williams asks why supernatural beliefs still appear to have such a strong hold across different societies, crossing boundaries of wealth and education.
Juju, Evu, Witchcraft, the evil eye, Voodoo, black magic. There are many names for beliefs that supernatural forces can be harnessed by people who are out to cause harm. Harm to someoneβs health, finances, relationships, even their political ambitions. Mike Williams asks why these beliefs still appear to have such a strong hold across different societies, crossing boundaries of wealth and education. And why some attempts to combat these βevil forcesβ might help in reinforcing fear in them. He speaks to Indian rationalist Sanal Edamaruku, anthropologists Dr Hermione Harris and Peter Geschiere, Line Mariani Playfair and campaigner Vicky Ntetema.
Produced by Bob Howard
(Photo: Human skull on a book next to the clock. Concept of black magic. Credit: Shutterstock)
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- Fri 18 Mar 2016 20:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview only
- Fri 18 Mar 2016 21:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Australasia, East Asia, South Asia & West and Central Africa only
- Mon 21 Mar 2016 02:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Americas and the Caribbean
- Mon 21 Mar 2016 03:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East Asia, Online, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview only
- Mon 21 Mar 2016 04:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service South Asia
- Mon 21 Mar 2016 05:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Australasia
- Mon 21 Mar 2016 07:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
- Mon 21 Mar 2016 13:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service Online & UK DAB/Freeview only
- Mon 21 Mar 2016 14:32GMTΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service East and Southern Africa, East Asia, Europe and the Middle East, South Asia & West and Central Africa only
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