WITCH DOCTOR KILLED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18661, 22 March 1935, Page 5

WITCH DOCTOR KILLED

MURDER CASE IN FIJI INDIAN SUPERSTITION SUVA, March 13. A case containing some curious features and emphasising the Wlief of some Indians in black magic or witchcraft, was heard at the Supreme Court yesterday, when two Indians from the Lambassa district, Ajodha and Tiri, were sentenced to death for the murder of an Indian named Mahanga. It was stated that Mahanga was a witch doctor, who performed certain ceremonies which were believed to cure sickness. In the course of the evidence it was stated that Ajodha had previously called in Mahangi to cure his wife of her inability to rear children, all their children having died in infancy. Mahangi failed to effect a "cure," and quarrelled with him over the matter. Recently, he made up the quarrel and asked Mahangi to try again. Giving evidence, Ajodha's wife said that Mahangi put ashes on her head and over her body, and while she was alone with him, Mahangi insulted her. She told her husband, who entered the room with Tiri and struck Mahangi over the head with an iron bar, Tiri using a hammer. They then threw the body into Mahangi's house and set it on lire.

Evidence was also given to the effect that people were afraid of Mahangi on account of the "black magic" that he practised. Both accused were found guilty, with tlie strongest possible recommendation to mercy on account of the extenuating circumstances.