Summary Of Return To Laughter By Laura Bohannan

Witchcraft is a social phenomenon that is prevalent among the Tiv as Laura Bohannan describes in Return to Laughter (1954). It is generally believed that witches have the power to cause harm in others by the virtue that allows them to make spiritual journeys. The belief in the power of witches allows groups such as the Tiv, make sense of their seemingly arbitrary hardships and place blame on a particular person rather than coincidence, thus leading to unfortunate allegations of witchcraft. Witchcraft accusations are done mainly by those who feel threatened socio-culturally or economically. Witchcraft accusations may be an implication of struggle for resources, domination and power among men within the Tiv in Nigeria.

Witchcraft is apparent and can be seen as part of the Tiv tribe’s social structure. In Return to Laughter, Bohannan’s (1954) interpretation of the

Initially, Bohannan offers Poorgbilin’s ill wife medication that would help her rest and alleviate pain but not completely cure her illness. For Poorgbilin and his wife, the possibility of witchcraft was alive; Poorgbilin assumes that his brother’s and cousins envy him and his many wives and children. In this instance, the unfortunate illness that Poorgbilin’s wife faces can be blamed on witchcraft supported by hate and jealousy, simply to avoid facing the reality that Poorgbilin’s wife was barren and simply became ill—an illness that could have been prevented if they had gone to the hospital. The other scenario where Bohannan encountered witchcraft was during the childbirth and death of Amara. Bohannan was summoned at once to bring medicine for Amara, when Bohannan turned up empty handed, the midwives began their natural remedies. When