Witch doctors: Katrina Thralls

From the book “Religions Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to World Faiths” by Anita Ganeri, one of the many countries discussed is Africa, which included a section on witch doctors. A witch doctor is “one of the most important members of the community and was greatly respected for his wisdom… [He] may even be asked to appear at important state occasions to give the events their blessing and to ward off evil spirits.” What did he do to deserve this type of honor? Easy, he understands the wilderness and helps others interpret it. He cures everything from physical ailments to evil possessions with plants, roots, and berries. He can read animal tracks and use that to determine the will of God to the communities. This man is a leader in both the sacred and the profane planes in his world, all because he is able to thoroughly understand, survive in, and fully use the wilderness. His store of plants and potions is effectively a degree that allows him to give advice or intervene in fights.