JOS JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY

This paper aims to unveil the resultant effects of the Okulosho concept of witchcraft. Belief, custom, culture, and tradition have lasting impacts in shaping the lifestyle and destiny of a people. This paper found that witchcraft beliefs in Okulosho have affected the peaceful co-existence among the people, as it creates a cold war and psychological disharmony over the years. The perceived witches seem to live in their own world of comfort and accept their fate since the community conceives them as scoundrels. This paper further discovered that the unhealthy rivalry between the perceived witches and other members of the community has led to accusations and counteraccusations that ended up in the traditional courts at the community shrines. It is observed in this paper that there is a sharp dichotomy between perceived witches and non-witches in the community. The perceived witches feel rejected and treated in a disdainful and esoteric manner even after death. This paper attempts to investigate the best way to reconcile both parties and enthrone peace in the community. This paper will adopt a phenomenological methodology to avoid any form of bias in addressing the key issues in our discourse.

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