ABSTRACT
Witchcraft is closely associated with religion, it is closely associated with beliefs relating to the cause of disease and misfortune. It is, indeed, believed to be one of the more important causes of afflictions of all kinds. For this reason it is necessary to say something as to Shona beliefs as to the cause of such evils. It is thought that this can cause practically any misfortune from the cutting of a shoe strap to the death of numbers of people. However, certain diseases and particularly those of a rather 'uncanny' nature are regarded as clear indications of witchcraft. Although the Shona distinguish between witchcraft and sorcery a sorcerer is also called 'witch'. Mangoromera is a medicine which gives a person the power to knock out or even kill a person he strikes. Diseases and afflictions may be caused in many ways but frequently involve a human being as the conscious or unconscious agent of harm.
