Question

Which of the following best describes Azande attitudes towards witchcraft?

A) Misfortune is never attributed to witchcraft in Azande culture.
B) Only intentional and aware witches are believed to cause misfortune.
C) All misfortune is considered the result of witchcraft, even if the witch is unaware of their power.
D) Azande people do not believe in the existence of witchcraft.

Answer 1

Azande culture attributes misfortune to witchcraft, even if the witch is unaware of their influence, as detailed by E. E. Evans-Pritchard.

Step-by-step explanation:

The attitudes of the Azande people towards witchcraft are best described by option C: All misfortune is considered the result of witchcraft, even if the witch is unaware of their power. Renowned anthropologist E. E. Evans-Pritchard in his work, Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic among the Azande, describes how the Azande attributed various forms of misfortune to the actions of witches, whether or not the individual identified as a witch was conscious of their harmful influence. This belief in the connection between misfortune and witchcraft stems from their understanding that intangible forces can influence the physical world, a premise that underlies many of their rituals and cultural practices.

The Azande's belief in the unintentional aspect of witchcraft separates their views from cultures that solely associate witchcraft with malicious intent. This perspective reflects an intricate relationship between misfortune, spiritual beliefs, and community social dynamics, where witchcraft serves not merely as an explanation for negative events but also as a framework for understanding unseen forces and maintaining social balance.