Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Ritual murders have recently been widespread among African societies in general. Reports of such murders . have become cause for concern. African countries that are implicated in ritual killing include but are not limited to: Botswana, Nigeria, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Cases have been reported of human body parts . . allegedly .removed from the corpses. The mortiferous character of ritual killing is not unique to African communities. During ancient biblical times, it was common that a son would be offered on the altar as a sacrifice to the gods. This article is multifaceted in its form. The study problematises phenomena of ritual murders by utilising narrative research in which human sacrifice, as depicted in the Old Testament, is the focus of attention. In addition, a comparative approach is employed to demonstrate that ritual murder is not unique to Africa. The article concludes by offering some recommendations towards oblite-rating ritual killing.
Source: Scriptura
DOI: 10.7833/117-1-1427
Authors: Mogomme Alpheus Masoga, Temba T. Rugwiji
Institutions: University of Limpopo, University of South Africa
Language: English
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $391
OpenAlex ID: W2909790509