Kenya witnesses major boom witch doctor tourism

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Lately, after tossing some animal bones, shells and skulls on the ground, Sidi Baya, a witch doctor told Elizabeth Luciary, a visitor from Italy, that a snakelike evil spirit has taken shelter in her and drinking her blood.

Baya said that Luciary’s neighbor in Italy had cursed her.

“I know what’s ailing you, you have evil spirits that can’t allow you to sleep,” said Baya as she suggested Luciary to drink a potion Baya that had brewed. “I have now washed all the evil spirits away and you are pure. The evil spirits will never disturb you again.”

Tourists in general come to Mombasa to see dolphins from traditional dhows, deep-sea fish, snorkel and lounge on the gleaming beaches. Nevertheless, Luciary was one of the international tourists, rushing to this coastal city to look for counseling of witch doctors to treat chronic diseases, exorcise evil spirits, end runs of bad luck, resolve marriage related issues and make sure success in business.

“I feel I’m now healed,” said Luciary, 55, after spending three days without bad dreams. “I thank the witch doctor for the good work. I believe it now works, and I will recommend more people” to her.

Luciary paid $300 and assured the witch doctor to receive more gifts, if she doesn’t encounter evil spirits in the future.

Over 3,000 witch doctors in the Kenyan coastal region are working, said Kenyan officials, who describe them as people who turn into healers after being haunted by ancestors or spirits. The witch doctors utilize many local herbs and plants and to cure patients, but their healing is majorly grounded on supernatural. “The witch doctors in this region are genuine and they don’t tell lies to clients,” said Tsuma Nzai, director of the Association of Mijikenda Cultural Groups, a tribal organization, in this coastal region.

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