Visions of Another World: Senegal, Sorcery, and the Unconscious

Abstract

The original intention of this paper was to present my findings in regards to the present day status of sorcery in Senegal. When I came across J. Finley Hurley's book, Sorcery, while doing background research, however, I was intrigued by his views regarding the connection between supernatural practices and the unconscious. I felt that highlighting his work against Senegalese sorcery would inspire the disbelievers to think about sorcery in a new, less distrustful light. Perhaps, I thought, it would offer the logic and explanations that we require before abandoning our skepticism; or at least succeed in making people seriously consider the existence of a supernatural world. And most of all I hoped it might give traditional practices, in Africa and all around the world, the respect and credibility that they deserve.