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How witches and wizards are treated in Benin when they confess

A witch who is able to abandon her destructive deeds can be reformed and groomed to fit back into the society. [Saatchi Art]
A witch who is able to abandon her destructive deeds can be reformed and groomed to fit back into the society. [Saatchi Art]
<strong>Chief David Edebiri is the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, a title that gives him dominion over all the witches and wizards in the Benin Kingdom.</strong>
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The role to decide a deserving punishment for the supernatural elements, was assigned to him by the Oba he claims in a report The Nation published on Wednesday, February 6, 2019.

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There are times when his subjects are able to make a confession after retiring from the life of being an enchanter. When this happens, the sober witch or wizard is taken to a special home to be reformed and returned to the society.

"Witches and wizards are my subjects. We deal with them in a decent way. There is no magical process in it.

"Once anybody confessed to be a witch, we send them to a home and a Chief is given the powers to disposes them. We take them through certain processes and they will become ineffective.

"They will go back to the society better persons."

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The Benin people are voodoo conscious. It is scary and equally exciting. [Wild Junket]
The Benin people are voodoo conscious. It is scary and equally exciting. [Wild Junket]

The idea that Benin is home to many witches is a popular topic used mostly in bants and for references to a paranormal event.

A research on Benin folklore is attributed to Badejo in 1996. It reveals the Benin people as a group with a belief in witchcraft.

This acceptance also implies a fear of witches who are known to be strong-willed -- able to ensure harsh consequence for their targets in the spiritual realm.

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