Sorcery, African Alternative Spirituality and the Abuse of Power

Abstract: This paper explores the use of power from an African alternative spiritual perspective with particular reference to the practice of sorcery in African Traditional Religion. The purpose of this research is to advance open-hearted dialogue between people who have interest in alternative spiritualities in relation to the use and abuse of power. It, therefore, responds to questions such as: what are the most significant ways in which alternative spiritualities can cause harm through the abuse of power? Are certain spiritual practices inherently abusive? How does sorcery within the African religious perspective constitute an abuse of spiritual power? To respond to these questions, it discussed the categorization of power within the African worldview, with the intention of showing how these powers have been and can be used. It further discussed the enduring features of sorcery and how sorcery remains a practice that abuses spiritual power. The Igwebuike theoretical framework was employed given the peculiar interconnected nature of the African universe. The hermeneutic, critical and analytical methods of inquiry were also used. The study revealed that sorcery is inherently abusive in its use of spiritual power, especially in an African world that understands reality as interconnected and interrelated.

Presenter bio: Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu, PhD is a Professor of African Philosophy and Theology, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Nigeria and the Faculty of Catholic Theology and Orthodox Studies, The University of America, Temecula, USA. He is the Global President of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS).

Presenter affiliation: Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Tansian University, Umunya, Anambra State, Nigeria