Rod Dutra, Brigham Young University
Based on my own fieldwork in northern Namibia, this paper follows a number of cultural killings dealing with witchcraft among the indigenous groups of Himbaland. It demonstrates not only a local psycho-cultural perspective (through their distinctive experiences of shame, guilt, and fear) but also creates an empathetic view of how witchcraft works as a leveling mechanism to keep traditional society alive in an ever-transitioning world. Overall, these findings contribute the Himba as a case study to the discussion between universal human rights and traditional customs.