Witch Cleanser | National Geographic

in Central Zimbabwe witches are a part
of life when crops fail when relatives
fight when neighbors feel the first
suspicion is often witchcraft anyone
here could be a bitch sometimes in the
village of Zaku
witch trouble is brewing so the chief
calls on a specialist a witch cleanser
secure routine and beery arrives in
czaka with his singers and drummers
whose plane will accompany his ritual
cleansing the cleansing begins like a
trial
Keenan berry will judge individuals
finding them innocent or guilty of
practicing witchcraft a balancing device
will decide their fate prosecutor part
priest scheana Marie interrogate
suspects he thinks this woman has been
using potions and charms tools of
witchcraft she admits she was trying to
have power over her husband where’s the
husband my husband has many wives so I
used a charm to make him want only
but now he has left me no he deserted
you because you use an evil charm it’s
bad luck
regardless of their actual guilt or
innocence people accused of witchcraft
usually confess Keenum berry has his
hands full exactly when a letter arrives
another village needs his help the chief
wants everyone tested they’re nervous
and for good reason in the past when
witch cleansers have come to this
village
the chief chose to banish those found
guilty of witchcraft enum berry reveals
what people do and say behind closed
doors
actions motivated by greed jealousy the
desire for revenge
this man acknowledges using an evil
charm
he atones in public bowing to his
neighbors that he’ll never make or use
such charms again confession brings
relief not only to the sinner but to his
neighbors here public confession elicits
forgiveness then the chosen
in Zimbabwe witchcraft is as common as
feelings of jealousy lust and greed
emotions that uncontrolled can unleash
evil