ABSTRACT
In the beginning of my research, respondents told me that sorcerers use ondofa, servant-beings that are typical of familiars recognized in reports of sorcery from many cultures. 1 Ondofa carry out the sorcerers’ orders, helping to accumulate wealth and to punish enemies. Though experienced sorcerers are the most likely to use these beings, anyone can obtain them and turn into a sorcerer. Some Zimbabweans expressed firm belief in ondofa. A middle-aged woman said:
The ondofa are a reality. Even on TV we are told that the ondofa are alive.
The influence of the media is apparent in this quote; mass media have influenced the spread of modern sorcery globally (Behringer 2004:237). The media are reinforcing the sorcery beliefs of many residents in the township where I worked. Yet, my observations indicate that the media are even more influential on the development of conspiracy beliefs.