Simbila, Joachim Gilbert (2021) The Role of MAPERECE in Mitigating Witchcraft Accusations against Older Women in Magu District, Tanzania. Masters thesis, Hekima University College.
![[img]](http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text (The Role of MAPERECE in Mitigating Witchcraft Accusations against Older Women in Magu district, Tanzania)
JOACHIM G. SIMBILA FINAL THESIS.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (2MB) | Request a copy |
Abstract
This research sought to find out the Role of MAPERECE in Mitigating Witchcraft Accusations against Older Women in Magu district, Tanzania. The data collection was carried out in Magu district in Mwanza region, Tanzania. The number of respondents was 65. Out of the 65, 20 respondents had a structured face-to-face interview, hereas 45 respondents were distributed with the questionnaire. This research involved a case study approach, the targeted populations were the older women accused of witchcraft, MAPERECE staff, Government officials and local leaders, old women, traditional healers and soothsayers as well as other members of the community. The research design was descriptive. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect data. More to that, this research was guided by the social constructionism theory as the framework for analysis by Berger and Luckmann. The main premise under this learning theory was that human beings are conscious of numerous realities that surround them including those which are close and far to them. These realities that surround human beings are shared through interaction with others thus knowledge and significant learning occurs as people interact in their social setup. The data collected was coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the findings were presented as tables, charts, and narratives and verbatim. The results of this research responded to the four research questions suggested. The findings confirmed witchcraft exists among the Sukuma and it is perceived as a social life experience and not an abstract phenomenon. Secondly, the findings showed that poverty was the main factor behind witchcraft accusations. Furthermore, the study evidently showed MAPERECE has played a great role in curbing and discarding harmful witchcraft beliefs that result from accusations of women perceived to be practicing witchcraft. As a local non-overnmental organization, through its intergenerational approach, it has achieved a great milestone in creating awareness, cares for older people and as well as mobilizing the communities to discard harmful beliefs and values that lead to witchcraft accusations and killings. This is an important agent of change in protecting the rights of the marginalized like the older women and in the promotion of gender equality for peaceful coexistence. One of the key conclusions drawn from this study was that interventions designed using local methodologies such as cultural structures can be very impactful in solving problems and in forging formidable solutions.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | D History General and Old World > DT Africa G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GT Manners and customs J Political Science > JZ International relations Q Science > QM Human anatomy |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email ict.admin@jhia.ac.ke |
| Date Deposited: | 30 May 2022 12:31 |
| Last Modified: | 30 May 2022 12:31 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/9727 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |