| |
| |
Witches' camps |
2 May 2005 |
|
 |
 The Ghanaian women expelled from their villages
In the northern region of Ghana, older women are vulnerable to being accused of witchery. When the crops fail, a child dies or even when someone has bad dreams, a woman can be blamed and forced from her home. In an area where the majority of families are polygamous, it has become a way of persecuting older women who have become superfluous to the community.
In the village of Gambaga, the Chief has the hereditary authority to exorcise women accused of witchcraft, but he allows them to stay on the outskirts of the village. Campaigners in Ghana against the practice believe that women going through the physical and emotional changes on the menopause are the main targets.
Comic Relief money is helping them to try and get this outlawed. Katy Hickman travelled with the film maker Abibata Mahama to meet the witches of Gambaga.
Comic ReliefDisclaimer
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. |
| |
|
|
Retired? Downsizing? Moving home to be nearer the kids?We'd like to hear your stories about moving house |
