ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses instances, preferably from African races, where ordeals play a considerable part in the life of the people, from studying comparable conditions in other communities. The feature which first of all impresses itself on the attention of observers everywhere is the absolute and invincible confidence, the unwavering faith of primitives in judgment by ordeal. The explorers and missionaries of to-day testify to the same firm faith in trial by ordeal. The ordeal seems to be a magical process designed to reveal without any possibility of doubt whether an accused person is innocent or guilty. It also serves as a means of settling disputes of the most varied kind. Human beings can collar the witch and destroy him in an exemplary manner, but spiritual aid is required to collar the witch devil, or it would get adrift and carry on after its owner's death.
