Witchcraft, Social Discontent and Child Abuse in South-South Nigeria: Ethnographic Description and Implications for Communication and Advocacy Campaigns

This study addresses witchcraft accusations and abusive practices against children in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The study, which adopts a survey design, is based on qualitative data-base obtained from in-depth interviews with 24 key informants, including the victims, parents, pastors and social workers. Presented as ethnographic descriptions, emerging data suggest that the proliferation of witchcraft accusations against children is due to the dramatic nature of contemporary inequality, and the growth of capitalist economy which has produced wealth and disparity by means that are largely beyond the control of most people. Thus, discontents arising from perceived inequities are refracted onto children, who constitute the symbols of social structure that constrains social mobility. To stem this ugly tide, since witchcraft beliefs are largely superstitious, reorientation of beliefs, ethos and attitudes through strategic communication and advocacy campaigns are recommended. Key Words: Witchcraft, Social Discontent, Child Abuse, Communication, Advocacy. JCMRJournal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 3, No. 2, October 2011, 131 – 143. ©Delmas Communications Ltd. About the authors *Ediomo-Ubong Ekpo Nelson is a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology/Anthropology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. **Dr. Aniekan Sampson Brown is a Lecturer in the Department of Sociology/Anthropology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.