Sorcery and Witchcraft: A Critical Challenge in Papua New Guinea

RELIGION AND SOCIAL COMMUNICATION VOLUME 22, NO. 2 (2024)

ISSN 1686-9184

Author

Tuan Viet Cao, CM

Abstract

In the modern age of the twenty-first century, with rapid developments in technology and science, accusations of sorcery and witchcraft appear to be occurring with increasing and spreading regularity throughout Papua New Guinea (PNG), a country in the South Pacific, a strange neighbor of Asia. With ninety-seven percent of the population identified as Christian, issues associated with sorcery and witchcraft remain pervasive and severe. These concerns have heightened the apprehension of the government, international organizations, institutes, and Christian Churches, viewing them as among the most critical challenges to the country’s peace and development. Based on various materials, research, and conferences on Melanesian culture, particularly on sorcery and witchcraft in PNG, and with experience of living in PNG as a Catholic missionary priest, the author relates to non-Melanesian readers the phenomena of sorcery and witchcraft in PNG with the reasons and the horrific consequences to the individuals, families, and communities. The author also delineates specific attitudes, strategies, and actions implemented by the government, organizations, and churches, grounded in Christian values, human rights, ethics, science, and biomedicine. These initiatives aim to persuade individuals to embrace scientific and verifiable explanations for death, sick-ness, and misfortunes, discouraging attributions to sor-cery and witchcraft. As with other societal challen-ges, the author underscores that the optimal strategy for addressing sorcery-related issues involves ensuring access to healthcare services, strengthening judicial enforcement, promoting education, providing religious education, and fostering economic development.

Keywords

culture, sorcery, witchcraft, Christianity, development

References

Ahrens, T. “Concepts of Power in a Melanesian and Biblical Perspective.” Missiology 5, no. 2 (1977): 141-173.

Auka, R., Gore, B. and Koralyo, P. R. “Sorcery and Witchcraft Related Killings in Papua New Guinea: The Criminal Justice System Response.” In Talking It Through: Responses to Sorcery and Witchcraft Beliefs and Practices in Melanesia, edited by M. Forsyth and R. Eves, 241-53. Canberra: Australia National University Press, 2015.

A.V. “Papua New Guinea’s Incredible Linguistic Diversity.” The Economist, July 20, 2017. https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2017/07/20/papua-new-guineas-incredible-linguistic-diversity.

Bartle, N. Death, Witchcraft, and the Spirit World in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea (Point No. 29). Goroka, PNG: Melanesia Institute, 2005.

Barton, T. F. “Papua New Guinea: Tenth country of Southeast Asia?” Journal of Geography 77, no. 7 (1978): 269-272. DOI: 10.1080/00221347808980139

Catholic Church. Catechism of the Catholic Church: revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II. Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000.

Cox, J. and G. Phillips. “Sorcery, Christianity and the Decline of Medical Services.” In Talking It Through: Responses to Sorcery and Witchcraft Beliefs and Practices in Melanesia, edited by M. Forsyth and R. Eves, 37-54. Canberra: Australia National University Press, 2015.

“Daily Life and Social Customs.” Britannica. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/place/Papua-New-Guinea/Daily-life-and-social-customs

Eves, R., and A. Kelly-Hanku. Witch-Hunts in Papua New Guinea’s Eastern Highlands Province: A Fieldwork Report. In Brief 2014/4. Canberra: Australian National University Press, 2014.

Forsyth, M., and R. Eves, eds. Talking It Through: Responses to Sorcery and Witchcraft Beliefs and Practices in Melanesia. Canberra: Australia National University Press, 2015.

Frame, J. “Media Reports and Public Opinion on Sorcery and Witchcraft in Papua New Guinea.” In Sorcery, Witchcraft, and Christianity in Melanesia. Melanesian Mission Studies No. 5, edited by F. Zocca and J. Urame, 67-136. Goroka, PNG: Melanesia Institute, 2008.

Gibb, P. “Practical Church Interventions on Sorcery and Witchcraft Violence in the Papua New Guinea Highlands.” In Talking It Through: Responses to Sorcery and Witchcraft Beliefs and Practices in Melanesia, edited by M. Forsyth and R. Eves, 309-27. Canberra: Australia National University Press, 2015.

Lenssen, F. A., ed. Footprints in the Ocean: History of the Catholic Church in Western Oceania. Leipzig: Engelsdorfer Verlag, 2012.

Maladede, M. M. Let Christ Be a Melanesian: A Study of Melanesian Values in the Light of Christian Values. Goroka, PNG: Melanesia Institute, 2003.

Mantovani, E. Traditional and Present-Day Melanesian Values and Ethics. Goroka, PNG: Melanesia Institute, 1998.

May, J. D., ed. Living Theology in Melanesia: A Reader. Goroka. PNG: Melanesia Institute, 1985.

Mosko, M. Ways of Baloma: Rethinking Magic and Kinship from the Trobriands. Chicago: Hau Books, 2017.

Narokobi, B. “What is the Religious Experience for a Melanesian?” In Living Theology in Melanesia: A Reader, edited by J.D. May, 69-77. Goroka, PNG: Melanesia Institute, 1985.

“One Doctor to 30,000 Persons Ratio in PNG.” PNG Health Watch, April 23, 2023. https://health.onepng.com/png-health-news/one-doctor-to-30000-persons-ratio-in-png

“Papua New Guinea Country Profile.” British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Accessed August 1, 2023.  https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-15436981

“Papua New Guinea Keen to Join ASEAN.” The Brunei Times, August 5, 2015. http://www.bt.com.bn/news-asia/2015/08/05/papua-new-guinea-keen-join-asean

“Papua New Guinea Country Brief.” Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Government of Australia. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/papua-new-guinea/papua-new-guinea-country-brief#:~:text=Papua%20New%20Guinea%20(PNG)%20has,has%20over%20800%20known%20languages.

“Papua New Guinea.” New World Encyclopedia. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/New_Guinea

“Papua New Guinea History.” Papua New Guinea Embassy in Japan. Accessed August 1, 2023. http://en.png.or.jp/about-png/history-of-png/

“Papua New Guinea Sorcery National Action Plan.” Stop Sorcery Violence PNG. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.stopsorceryviolence.org/snap-sarv-nap/

Patrick F. G., ed. Mission and Violence: Healing the Lasting Damage. Madang, PNG: Divine Word University, 2009.

Souter, G. New Guinea: The Last Unknown. Canberra: Halstead Press, 1964.

Stephen, M., ed. Sorcerer and Witch in Melanesia. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 1987.

Stewart, C. “The Courts, the Churches, the Witches and their Killers.” In Talking It Through: Responses to Sorcery and Witchcraft Beliefs and Practices in Melanesia, edited by M. Forsyth and R. Eves, 183-95. Canberra: Australia National University Press, 2015.

Zocca, F., and J. Urame. Sorcery, Witchcraft, and Christianity in Melanesia. Melanesian Mission Studies No. 5. Goroka, PNG: Melanesia Institute, 2008.

Zocca, F., ed. Sanguma in Paradise: Sorcery, Witchcraft, and Christianity in Papua New Guinea (Point No. 33). Goroka, PNG: Melanesia Institute, 2009.

Vietnam Embassy in Indonesia. “Papua New Guinea Governor-General Hails Vietnam’s Position.” Vietnam Plus, July 17, 2019. https://en.vietnamplus.vn/papua-new-guinea-governorgeneral-hails-vietnams-position/156271.vnp

Whiteman, D. Melanesians and Missionaries. Hattiesburg: William Carey Library, 1983.

Pages 416-443

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62461/TVC040324

Submitted: December 22, 2023; Accepted: April 3, 2024; Published: June 30, 2024