ABSTRACT
Moving southeast from Zambia to Zimbabwe, the authors consider a case involving an accusation of witchcraft in some detail. One might well think that the Witchcraft Suppression Act was designed for the people, for those who practice the craft of the witch, or at least represent themselves to have the power of witchcraft. Every member of the gumbgwa must take an “offering” called museve, which the Law calls “reward or payment” but which is really an essential contact point or link between the personality or spirit of the owner and the spirit of the nganga. The essence of the gumbgwa is surprise, a sudden gathering to ensure that no-one may find an opportunity to go back to a hut or absent themselves in order to get mugaranganda the medicine which gives immunity from detection by the nganga.
