ABSTRACT
The word witchcraft is so much associated with the symbolism of black cats and magie speIls in the European tradition, that to make a sociologieal approach requires a special effort. There are many kinds of witchcraft. In general accusations are made where roles are ill-defined. The accusation has the effect of temporarily sharpening the definition of rights and obligations. Witches are thought to be envious, grudging, spiteful and armed with dangerous powers. It is well-enough recognised amongst anthropologists that witchcraft beliefs flourish where there is ambiguity in the patterning of roles. But many peoples can tolerate a low degree of role-definition without developing a witch-dominated cosmology. Nuer believe in the presence of evil eye and of sorcerors, but these beliefs He dormant while other principles of explanation, such as God's punishment of sin, preoccupy their thoughts (Evans-Pritchard, 1956: 100-5, 176). Witch-dominated cosmologies are rare among nomadie hunters and herders.
