The Veil Of Superstition – Africa’s Burden Of Darkness
by Isaac Ofori Asebu

The African continent has remained a place of shadow shrouded in the mystery of progressive setbacks.

Many individuals have tried to demystify the never-ending setbacks that have confounded the continent over centuries but to no avail. The pattern of Africa’s distress is seen in almost all of her countries. This constant shadow has refused to give way to a dawn of new age, glory and honour. The thick nature of these dark shadows continues to haunt and taunt the continent and has left it with little or no room to find answers to many recurring questions.

What could be Africa’s ailment?

What is still holding Africa back from realizing its full potential?

Africa has remained a fertile ground where all forms of human discomforts are grown. Self-denial and lack of faith in its people continues to be major illusions eluding the continent. Africa continues to sit in mud and has not thought of rising up to wash off the dirt. It remains a continent clothed in sacks, wailing and weeping for her many pains and hopelessness.

What has been one of the major burdens of darkness in Africa?

SUPERSTITION!

A veil of superstition still covers the face of the continent, allowing for constant darkness, mystery and illusion, all of which nurtures her dissipations. Africa has a long-standing history of deep superstitions composed in the beliefs of many uncertainties. Strong beliefs in witchcraft, juju, gods, ancestors, black magic, sorcery, necromancy, ghosts and etc. have converged as thick clouds over the minds of her citizens.

Many Africans live in constant fear of these beliefs and strongly embrace them as a way of life. Witchcraft, wizardy and, the torture and burning of those accused of being witches and wizards prevails across the continent, and are employed largely to hurl people down and even end their lives. People use juju to procure fast riches and trigger their businesses and fight others in the contests of life. People put faith in juju in solving life problems on this continent. Strong beliefs in gods and ancestors are found in almost all the countries in Africa. The gods according, to strong African traditions dictate the pace of men and order their steps, and above all control the affairs of men.

Huge sacrifices are made to these deities as well as the ancestors to avert misfortunes which are purely natural such as earthquakes, floods, outbreak of diseases and hunger. People invoke curses on their enemies in the name of the gods and ancestors. Sorcery, necromancy and glaring occultism prevail across the continent unabated. These are the roots of African superstitions and are deep-seated in the minds of people and in the heart of the continent.

The continent of Africa has become the breeding ground for demons and dark spirits, because most of the practices invite the presence of these forces of darkness. Everything associated with misfortune is hugely represented on the African continent. Hard-core poverty, hunger, diseases, wars, atrocities and the shedding and sharing of innocent blood have found their seats on the continent. Religion, especially Christianity, teaches us that evil spirits have the tendency to torment, harass, destroy and even kill. These evil spirits draw their strength from Africans placing strong faith in them. Evil spirits are called upon openly and libations made to them to employ their blessings.

Though Christianity and Islam seek to bring solutions to this menace, their efforts are somewhat thwarted, as some African religious practices have crept their way into Christianity and Islamic worship. Traditional priests and priestess known as ‘Akomfo’ are turning into preachers- some of them backing their teachings with the Bible. Their worship is nothing more than traditional practices polished to suit the modern age. Juju men call themselves ‘Mallam’ and assist people in getting juju to aid them in life. There is open witchcraft in some parts of the continent. Religion has in some way come to deepen the superstitions, as critical and scientific or natural thinking have given way to spirit-way-solutions to all problems of life.

There is a huge veil of superstition covering the face of Africa.

A story was told of a man who went to church and had to mention the name of his god to save him, instead of God. The question is what happened? The bench upon which he and other church members sat, broke and was falling down and, immediately, he mentioned the name of the god of the town to save him instead of God. This man is a classic superstitious man who could not control things, even at the place where superstition is eschewed. The numerous instances of innocent blood being shed on the continent haunt it every day. Ranging from tribal wars fought on the continent centuries ago to the slave trade and wicked leaders, all of which destroy the life of many for no apparent reason.

Uganda suffered through the bloodshed of many of its people. Rwanda suffered the same fate. South Africa suffered during apartheid. The Congolese wars killed many people. The Angolan wars, Liberian war crimes and the Central African civil disturbances were nightmares of instability. Violence following the Cote d’Ivoire elections, the Boko Haram atrocities of Nigeria, tribal wars and human sacrifices in Ghana are among many more blights on the African continent. The blood of many dead, innocent people continues to cry from the bowels of Africa.

There is a strong belief that Africa is under a huge curse because of these atrocities committed on its soil. This is seen in how the continent continues to suffer and grope in darkness. If a mighty hand had not moved against the continent, then how come the continent lacks the ability to utilize its numerous resources, blessed with it by nature? How come wickedness continues to prevail across the continent? The veil of superstition is Africa’s huge burden which continues to constantly draw the continent into dissipation and hopelessness.

Our leaders are heartless and self-centered instead of human-centered. Some of them have dead consciences and have contributed largely to the sufferings of their citizens. Some of them employ juju (black magic) to ascend to power and use atrocities to curb their fellow countrymen. Hugely resourced but constantly begging for aid or assistance paints a clear picture of Africa as a damned continent.

SUPERSTITION...has robbed the politician from presenting himself as an individual capable of leading his or her country.

SUPERSTITION...has robbed the businessman from generating new ideas as well as working hard to boost his business.

SUPERSTITION...has robbed the young man from pursuing healthy living and opportunities, and, instead leads him to seek after juju for quick money.

SUPERSTITION...has encouraged the religious leader to use black magic to rob the ignorant; it has robbed some religious folks from enlightenment and continues to rob the continent of all good things that a man, through purpose, commitment, critical thinking or natural thinking could have acquired for himself.

SUPERSTITION...is the King of Africa who sits right in the middle of the minds of many people and dictates their pace in life.

SUPERSTITION...will tell you that many sicknesses on the continent of Africa are spirit borne; they were not there until some witches brought them. Think of this: pornography did not start in Africa but it is one of the highest prevailing causes of sexually transmitted diseases. African witches enjoy such atrocities inflicted on their very own people and, sometimes their own relatives, because it fattens their pockets.

SUPERSTITION...will tell you many deaths on the continent are triggered by juju, sorcery or witchcraft.

SUPERSTITION...will tell you people are poor in Africa, because they are possessed or being pursued by evil spirits who will allow an individual to gain $1 million but make him squander it and go back to enjoy his poverty.

SUPERSTITION...has prevented many people from coming out from poverty on the African continent, because they believe they have been possessed by the demon of poverty, so why even try to improve their situation.

SUPERSTITION...has made our leaders heartless and have them constantly employing black magic in politics to win power, rather than presenting themselves as worthy serving citizens.

SUPERSTITION...SUPERSTITION...SUPERSTITION...SUPERSTITION...SUPERSTITION!!!!!

The veil of superstition is SO HUGE that an African's dream of deliverance is far-fetched.

Africa is a continent of bloodshed, juju, witchcraft, wizardy, occultism, ancestral worship, gods and enchantments- a continent full of darkness.

When will the time come when Africa will be purged completely from these superstitious stains which have crippled its development and uplift?

Almost everywhere in Africa, there is some level of superstition which continues to darken the minds of its people and prevents any critical or natural thinking, as well as scientific thinking, which is the main force behind the development of many countries of the world.

When will Africa shake off the shackles of superstition and ignorance and embrace The Age of Enlightenment?

Still chilling with ma chilled kunu nd friEd bat

Soon and very soon