The Good Witch of the South, also known as Glinda, is a beloved character from L. Frank Baum's timeless novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Glinda is depicted as a beautiful and powerful sorceress who acts as a guiding force for Dorothy and her friends on their journey to the Emerald City. Glinda's powers are primarily centered around the element of air, granting her the ability to manipulate the winds and create powerful gusts. She uses this power to guide Dorothy's house to Oz and also to transport her to different locations. The Good Witch is known for her kind and gentle nature, always ready to offer assistance and support to those in need.
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2021 However, getting policy statements from the Center of the American Experiment on how to do this is like getting cancer treatment advice from a witch doctor. Recent Examples on the Web On the other chair was Sincere Seven, the 43-year-old master of this ceremony, who calls himself a multidimensional travel agent, spiritual tour guide, medicine man and witch doctor.
The Good Witch is known for her kind and gentle nature, always ready to offer assistance and support to those in need. Throughout the story, it becomes clear that Glinda is a wise and intelligent character. She possesses immense knowledge of the magical land of Oz and has a deep understanding of the needs of its inhabitants.
What do witch doctors actually do?
One thing every Acholi person wants to avoid is being associated with a witch doctor, but I took courage and informed the bodaboda (motorbike taxi) man that I was heading to the witch doctor’s place. He bombarded me with questions: What is your problem? Are you looking for riches? Has someone bewitched you? And his last word was that these people (witch doctors) are bad.
People certainly associate witch doctors with bad acts. They don’t associate witch doctors with, for example, deciding whether widows, with or without children, can stay on the land of their dead husbands, return to their maiden home or have the choice to reject or accept a protector (male relative of their late husband)?
Yet these are just some of the roles I discovered when I interviewed some witch doctors in Northern Uganda as part of my research for CPAID. Let’s hear from Akumu Christen (a female witch doctor):
‘It was in 2009 when I became a witch doctor, even though I never wanted to be one. In 2005 I was attacked by a ‘jok’ for the first time’.
Robin: ‘She was trying to show me what she uses in her daily work, Each one of those things has got different roles to play. The spear represents a god call Jok Kalawinya. Kalawinya is summoned when someone is possessed by evil spirits. The Bible represents a god called Mary, Mary is a white and she loves peace, so for anything concerning bringing peace, they summon her. The beer bottle represents a god call Jok Kirikitiny. Kirikitiny is a god from the Karomonjong ethnic groups – he is concerned with protection. The small syrup bottles contain a liquid substance which she takes before starting her work, it makes her see and hear from the gods.’
A jok is a class of spirit within the traditional Acholi belief system that is viewed as the cause of illness. Traditional healers (known as ajwaka) first identify the jok in question and then make an appropriate sacrifice and ceremony to counter them. Alternatively if such an approach is unsuccessful the person possessed by the jok can go through a series of rituals to gain some level of control over the jok and then themselves become ajwaka.
‘This jok wanted me to become a witch doctor. When I resisted, I became mad for three months, but in the fourth month I was taken from the forest and became a born-again Christian and the jok left me alone. But that liberty only lasted for two years and then I suffered the hardest attack yet from the jok. I became mad for the second time and lived in trees like a monkey for three months without eating food or drinking water and without coming down to the ground. Then my sister brought another witch doctor to initiate me into being a witch doctor, which was what the jok wanted all along, and that’s how I became a witch doctor.
‘I was scared because of what people would say but I now have realised that this jok–known as jokajula- does not support wrong-doing like killing people. I don’t do rituals to kill people but to help them’.
Akumu Christen now helps the people in her neighbourhood town. Paico, in different ways, including:
Mental Health Worker: Helping victims or Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) returnees by trying to stop or prevent spirits from attacking them. Or stop them from being haunted or rerunning in their minds the bad things that they did in the bush, preventing nightmares and helping them cope in their community.
Peace Maker: Participating in the reconciliation of two clans, where one killed a person from the other clan. Beside that she is also involved in summoning the spirit of the dead to ask him who should receive the ‘kwo money’(blood money paid to the victim’s family/clan).
Family Therapist: End barrenness in both men and women, which is hugely important because children are very significant to an Acholi: for a home to be called a home it should have children around.
Repair broken marriages or relationships.
Livelihoods Promotion: Remove bad luck and make people rich, especially those who have been put into bondage by bad people who want them to remain poor.
Disaster Prevention: She is summoned by the community elders to perform rituals to prevent natural calamities like drought or floods.
These are some of the things she does, but she is also a mother of two children with a very loving husband.
So now let me ask you again, do you still think witch doctors are bad people?
Robin Oryem (@oryem_robin ) is a researcher for LSE’s CPAID programme in northern Uganda.
The views expressed in this post are those of the author and in no way reflect those of the Africa at LSE blog, the Firoz Lalji Centre for Africa or the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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Glinda is well-respected by the people of Oz, and her authority is unquestioned. One of Glinda's most notable acts of kindness is helping Dorothy in her quest to return home to Kansas. When Dorothy is trapped in Oz, Glinda advises her to seek the help of the powerful Wizard in the Emerald City. Glinda's guidance and support play a crucial role in Dorothy's journey and eventual triumph over the Wicked Witch of the West. Aside from guiding Dorothy, Glinda also advocates for justice and assists in the resolution of conflicts. In the novel, Glinda helps the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow by providing them with the gifts and advice they need to overcome their personal challenges. In the 1939 film adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz," Glinda is portrayed as a warm and nurturing figure, further cementing her status as a beloved character. Her sparkling gown and gracious demeanor have made her an iconic symbol of goodness and hope. Overall, the Good Witch of the South, Glinda, is a character cherished by readers and viewers alike. Her wisdom, kindness, and magical abilities make her an inspiration and a beacon of light in the land of Oz..
Reviews for "The Good Witch of the South: Sorcery or Spiritualism?"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Good Witch of the Siputh'. The storyline was predictable and cliché, with the same old tropes of a good witch trying to save the day. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the special effects were poorly executed, making the already weak plot even harder to sit through. Overall, I found this movie to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging fantasy film."
2. John - 2/5 stars - "I had high hopes for 'Good Witch of the Siputh', but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The premise seemed promising, but the execution was lackluster. The pacing of the film was slow, and I found myself losing interest throughout. The dialogue was cheesy and cringe-worthy at times, making it difficult to take the story seriously. While the visuals were decent, they were not enough to salvage the overall mediocrity of the film. I would advise viewers to skip this one and opt for a different fantasy movie with more substance."
3. Jennifer - 2/5 stars - "I watched 'Good Witch of the Siputh' with eager anticipation, hoping for a captivating fantasy experience. However, I was sorely disappointed. The plot lacked originality, following the same tired formula of a good witch battling evil forces. The acting was subpar, and the chemistry between the characters felt forced. The film also dragged on unnecessarily, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, 'Good Witch of the Siputh' was a forgettable fantasy film that failed to leave a lasting impression."
4. Alex - 2/5 stars - "I couldn't help but feel let down by 'Good Witch of the Siputh'. The story felt like a shallow attempt to cash in on the popularity of supernatural movies, with no real substance to offer. The characters were flat, and their motivations were poorly developed, leaving me disinterested in their fates. The special effects were also unimpressive and failed to create a believable and immersive world. I had hoped for a more enchanting experience, but unfortunately, this film did not deliver."