Cry Witch: Take My Land, Take My Life - BBC Africa Eye documentary
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- Africa Eye investigates elderly attacks made in a Kenyan coastal region, supposedly over witchcraft but really over land.
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At least one elderly person loses their life every week in the name of witchcraft along Kenya’s stunning Kilifi coast.
Violent attacks on supposed witches occur across swathes of Africa and beyond, but the estimated 70 deaths reported here every year are about much more than fear of the supernatural.
Meeting victims, relatives and even perpetrators, #BBCAfricaEye investigates the real motives fuelling these brutal incidents and the impunity that often enables them, revealing that many elderly victims are targeted not by strangers, but the very people who should be protecting them - their own families.
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Africa Eye brings you original, investigative journalism revealing secrets and rooting out injustice in the world’s most complex and exciting continent. Nothing stays hidden forever.
🎧 Listen to the podcast "Assignment: Cry Witch, Take My Land, Take My Life" on the BBC World Service here: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0j8...
🎞️ Check out all #BBCAfricaEye investigations here: • BBC Africa Eye documen...
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Credits:
HEAD OF LONGFORM AND INVESTIGATIONS - Liz Gibbons
AFRICA EYE EDITOR - Tom Watson
DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - Nicola Milne
PRODUCER - Kassim Mohamed
REPORTER - Njeri Mwangi
CINEMATOGRAPHER - Simon Mwai
FILM EDITOR - Timothy Moss
FIXER - Gary Alphonce
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR - Abigail Knight
PRODUCTION MANAGER - Simon Frost
IMPACT TEAM - Tom Donkin, Tamasin Ford, Anusha Kumar, Paul Organe, Gabriele Shaw, Mark Shea, Emaan Warraich
REVERSIONING PRODUCER - Anna Payton
DUBBING MIXER - Jez Spencer
COLOURIST - Boyd Nagle
ONLINE EDITOR - Chris Stott
DRONE CAMERA - Yusuf Bamkuu
ADDITIONAL CAMERA - Godfrey Bardey
ADDITIONAL RESEARCH - Izzy Fleming
BURIAL CEREMONY MUSICIANS - Tambala Dakacha Group
TRANSLATION - Tina Robi
ARCHIVE - "Witches" Burnt in Kenya. NTD News, KTN News Kenya, AP Archive, Voice of America, VOA
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO: Metakilili Cultural Resource and Rescue Centre, Magarini Cultural Centre
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Subscribe: bit.ly/subscribetoafrica
Website: www.bbc.com/africa
Facebook: / bbcnewsafrica
Twitter: / bbcafrica
Instagram: / bbcafrica
#Kenya #Witchcraft #Documentary #Witch #ElderlyCare #Land #LandRights #Kilifi #OldAge #Inheritance #BBCAfrica
Africa, Africa, we must do better, it is a disgrace.
The will be any better for the savage dark tribes of Ham.
That's so very true this is disgraceful .
as a African, I agree with you. I am disappointed.
@@Vv-fl2rm A few hundred years ago whites did the same exact thing these people are doing.
Please don't say Africa, call out the specific countries that allow these atrocities and primitive behaviour to happen, it does not apply to all African countries. Some African countries have law and order
Njeri Mwangi you were born to do this- Top notch journalism. I fully affirm you. Young, naturally beautiful, professional and eloquent in narration. Keep it up girl.
You are very right
Bonface mwangis wife
Really?@@rabukaraumwa9131
Sad To See the Old Man with no hands crying, Let the offenders lack Peace 😭😭
The tears won't go to waste
Even when you remove the subtitles, you can listen to the sound of pain. Rarely have I been so shaken by an investigation.
I watched this and couldn’t stop shedding tears,it’s so sad that our elderly are treated that way. Katana has his land and people but he’s not comfortable going back to his own land. Why is our legal system like that??? Them not even knowing how many elderly people are killed in kilifi is a big JOKE. I grew up in Mombasa and black magic is something I have heard numerous times mostly when you cross those side of kilifi…malindi…kwale,when I was 17 my principal husband who was a pastor was lynched to death since he had gone to pray for people who were said to be performing witchcraft,it’s very very sad that our country still has to go through this kind of lifestyle. I’ve been to America and it’s a felony and it can come with a jail term to pose any kind of harm to an elderly person. They are very respected no matter what. David should either decide to take legal action and the village elders should stop this kind of if this happens this are the consequences….as a criminal justice major I can easily tell that all this is because of land and you can pick a lot of negativity from Chris body language. I hope the police can intervene and just make sure everyone is safe. Thank you for not only letting us know what’s going on,but for showcasing our beautiful country .
I loved when David said , “I don’t have bodyguard ,I have only God”….indeed he who waits upon the Lord shall never be put to shame in Jesus name🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Believing things without sufficient evidence or sound methods for discovering the truth is what caused these sorts of atrocities that are pervasive throughout the African continent and other countries.
@@sandrajackson709the indoctrination in Africa is strong.
I wish i could give them everything and protect them.
All i can do is pray.
This make me feel like a lot haven't been done more so on the side of God.
Award winning documentary
The police and the justice system is failing this community 😢
You bet! Coming from a Scandinavian in Kilifi county for 12 years.
Police is utterly useless and extemely corrupt and very underfunded and poorly paid.
They are failing their youth. They need to find God.
This is not an issue that can be dealt with by Police. Please think about it clearly. This is a community issue. The Police have NO Idea what to do......so the community needs to get together and make it a Police issue. I have some ideas and there are loads of NGO'S willing to help. Please feel free to contact me on this platform
In Africa instead of protecting our elderly, and benefiting from the wisdom they have acquired, we hack them to death and we abuse them. It is very dangerous to become old in Africa. Living to old age is a death sentence.
Its just sad, I shed tears from watching this and seeing the kind of pain and fear our elders are going through. To them, making it through the day is a miracle. So sad
It's quite unfortunate.
But they are full in churches using God's name every 2 minutes and yet God's commandment was take care of the old, children etc so tell me which God are they praying to
Unbelievable,I'm sad. Don't know what else to say !!
@edwardphilsimbeye3299 Why are generalising like what Westerners and Easterners do? AFRICA IS A CONTINENT and not a country. Be specific!! This is happening in a specific area in Kenya? Just as the program host, maybe in order to create an impression, starts by talking about witchcraft yet the whole story is about greed!!
@@patienceacheampong9542
It is not “unfortunate”.
It is a crime. And shows a failed legal system. As we all know.
Them saying the elders are doing witchcraft and attacking them is crazyyy. Don’t these people know they will age as well? Whatever they sow they will surely reap at an old age if they even live that long.
I'm utterly speechless, livid, and emotional at the moment… What a heart-rending situation! 😢 The son’s body language raised a lot of red flags 🤦🏿♀️
His body language screams murder
Katana's wife's too
ok the wife is wholeheartedly angry and there is no kind of love in her eye she cold. if there was love it's been long gone. It's about money and what she expects. She went to visit once and the police 3 times how that adding up?
The son he up to something. compare the h!t man's body language to the son. That boy has no remorse whatsoever his eyes darting all over away his body is turned away from the interviewer hands swinging. Meanwhile the h!tman' s arm and shoulders sunken no defensive reaction he faced her a few times head down.
Some people are lazy and want free things ,free land , people should work hard to get what they want in life
this is why 003 has no elders ...they are killed everyday for lands inheritance
That son can be empowered to protect and bring light to this community
That woman knows something
I won't be surprised
Yes she is the biggest suspect
Poverty & illiteracy !
I weep for my people 😭
I zero in illiteracy,each passing day we grow a day older,I luv my granny she's 90 plus years,I cherish every moment,sema kusahau mambo mengi but if you give her money she never forgets 😂
@@iduabsura4959 😂😂😂
Even the highest people in governement believe in withcraft. So its not about illiteracy...Its just ignorence that thwarts them from evolving into a better species of people
@@royalmbwana What does illiteracy have to do with human rights? Our great grand parents were not educated, yet they maintained humanity. Our generation "educated" thugs!!!!
@ruthn9381 literacy cures half of the problems described there. Our great great grand parents had their own perils too, it was not all smooth there have never been an utopia in the history of human life.
A poor son in Africa is a danger to society. You can give him a piece of land, and he is not contented. He wants your land and your life.
I have brothers and i know this..boys have a prioblem
poor in mind.
Welcome to Kenya where justice don't do with the poor, It's annoying me that some people still lives in the dark world, may God have mercy on such people, let's respect our ancestors
This Country is a total disgrace to humanity,rem the Shakahola story? Imagine starving women and children to death 🤔🤔
I am a Ugandan from the Ganda Tribe in Central Uganda. We have a kingdom here with staunch culture with emphasis on RESPECT for elders.This is such a painful documentary.
I can't believe a child would ever do this to their parents
that's where Uganda excels in EA, we may be corrupt and poor but alteast the security of our people is priority and non-negotiable - watching this is just painful.
Have you been watching the news lately? Grandparents and parents being killed,maimed, threatened over land matters?The breakdown of society is creeping in everywhere
There is no security in Uganda. Land issues, child sacrifice, murder, break and entry, rape, pedophiles, voodoo witchcraft, kids murdering parents over land, etc. Report to the police and your file ends up in the garbage because you are poor. Uganda security is 💩
Joseph Kony owns you.
@@MarvineBeastyBoy check the calendar mate, you may be stuck in the past.
Njeri you have done a good job with this story. Thank you for bringing it out
The little boy's reaction to seeing his dad at 39:45 made me cry too. Why are these happenings surely?
Me too 😭😭😭😭😭 I felt the pain
that boy and the dad has made me shed tears. Both need intense counselling
Me too😢
Me too 😢😢
I cried too
Demand for cheap land in Kilifi county by rich property developers and real estate agents with a keen eye of investing in multi-million dollar large scale farms,private ranches,tourist hotels and vacation homes is the reason why these violence is taking place.The land ownership by elderly people is forcefully being transferred to young generation through dubious means including killing.
Very very sad!😢
true
I think low level of education within the community plays a big role in this
@@georgeikinya2779 indeed not just demand for land...caz there would be conflict not implicating elderly as witches...corelation between the two is low....but beliefs are drivers of this
True
Gosh, Kenya we need to do better! This is so heartbreaking 💔
I've literally lost faith in humanity....and my heart shattered,I even don't know why I watched this documentary.This is so wrong
This is one of the most heart-rending documentaries I have ever watched. I felt the pain and cried with poor old woman who cried for her husband and the tears continued long after watching. My heart breaks to see how old people are treated in this world. An incredible documentary and a true eye opener. May God give comfort to all those who are suffering
Sophie, our local elderly home where old people pay $4500 a moth to stay at is full of mistreated old folk. at this point i expect to be treated that way too But i am never letting my parents out of sight .
14:53 I wish I could hug her , I wish I could hug these precious survivors ❤️🩹🫂😢😭
Greed, Jealousy, Laziness, Entitlement, Ignorance and the unwillingness to know and do better brings on so much unnecessary abuse and trauma 😡💔💔💔💔 so many innocent people harmed senselessly.
Thank you so much for such a heartbreaking but informative and incredible documentary. It's spreading much needed awareness.
‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️🗣️AFRICA, WORLD LET'S DO BETTER ❤🗣️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
In a country being hailed as one of the most developed in Africa, it is unconscionable that its people are still living in the Dark Ages.
This is not only a case of ignorance but also a total failure of law and order. It seems the latter only exists to some degree in Nairobi where Kenya police gunned down 39 young people who were protesting against President Ruto's heartless tax bill.
There is no excuse for this backwardness to be happening in this day and age.
The police should have been uprooting this terror. The elephant in the room is the police force sitting on the fences.
@@gudbifariinta3958Same corrupt Police deployed to Haiti?
Such a shame 🖤,cruel atrocities committed against our elderly
Not true @@gudbifariinta3958. Why would the police be preventing you from k*lling your parents? Is that their work really? Why would such demonic thoughts cross your mind in the first place?
There's a church where they sturve people to death,,,but I I think it's connected to government organ harvesting business... starving people to death honestly 🤔🤔🤔
Africa suffers the most.beyond what we can imagine
By its own hand because the African is intrinsically evil and obsessed with superstition
Maybe it's because they are the largest population The more the numbers the more (hicups) problems, I am African but BUT I THINK it's safer having amount of children each couple can afford to raise school them etc.
@@tombimashri8149 Who told you that Africa is overpopulated? This is a sad documentary, but to claim that Africans are suffering because of their numbers is absurd. The populations of individual nations like India and China are significantly larger than the entire population of the African continent. Asia accounts for over half of the world's population, while Africa, the second-largest continent by land mass, has
a population density that is relatively low compared to Europe and Asia.
Africa suffers because of the African.
im watching this in tears , i feel like our grandparents are taken for granted, this should stop!!!
what an incredible doccumentary, bravo.
may our prayers be with those in suffering!
''Nyamala......... myamala'' as mucjh as I am not good in linguistics but I understood the language. The dad was in total pain recalling the past. The pain of seeing your son cry because of the difficult situation you are in is truly unbearable. The helplessness felt in such moments can be overwhelming. To the people of Kilifi, I extend my heartfelt hope and belief that God will see you through these trying times. May He provide you with the strength to overcome the challenges you face. I pray that God will forgive those who have caused harm and suffering to parents, elders, fathers, and many others who have endured torture and hardship. May justice and peace prevail, and may the community come together to heal and support one another.
When asked if he had ever accused his father of witchcraft, Chris did not say no, he said not yet. Terrible son.
He's ignorent also that there's a saying that goes,"A snake gives birth to a snake"...One day he also will be in the frying pan.
SO SAD TO TAKE THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT US INTO EXISTANCE.MAY GOD FORGIVE AFRICA
This Katana's wife looks guilty somehow, I can't judge her but her reaction, body expression n facial expressions convinces me
Same here. She is indifferent
True she looks suspicious. She wanted to send the land after killing him n now that he is still alive she is very bitter
You are no different from them. This is what makes the societies accept blindly witchcraft because you THINK you are expert in facial expressions and etc please Rethink and let facts lead your life ....Very sad this thinking is what fuels the killings
i came here to say that!! she's!!!
These so called sons need to be evicted immediately. They haven’t earned an inch of their parent’s land.
It is unbelievable that these parents, have to live in fear of the sons that they raised. Pure evil!!!!
As Africans, we are really broken beyond repair to the point where inflicting pain on an elder has become an acceptable thing💔
Let's gather here my kilifi people
I am from Kenya different tribe from one in the documentary and I cannot let anyone hurt my parents ,I cannot even imagine how someone can hurt his own mother or father just because you want to takeover their own property that they worked hard for
We know of different tribes that have slashed their parents and grandparents to death because of land. Tuseme ukweli.
Heartbreaking report. It's something I thought I'd never see in Africa. Thank you for this report. I hope the officials see this and give these people land titles and prosecute the ones who killed and harmed the elderly. My prayers are with the elders of Kenya.
Africa's biggest problem is itself.
And thinking they could give a lesson about humanity to the world.
no it's colonialism. remember they are victims
Be spesific. Africa is an continent, but thats off topic, for now.
That woman's tears and pain 😢😢😢😢😢
it is a curse for an old person to cry because of another one, those who did that to him I tell you it will be not good for you.
Curses?? The hypocrisy you are displaying is unfathomable. You are no different from the people who believe in witchcraft...basic civil education is what you need
Land and inheritance are always problem inside families everywhere.
That is all the more reason the Kenyan national government & elites need to step in, not just jet-set to fetes around the globe.
Very well researched and presented. Good work Njeri. Keep on keeping on....
I'm lost for words. An eye opening documentary indeed. Good job Njeri 👏🏻👏🏻
True love mum.May you find favor and grace.May you find protection
Njeri mwangi,this is deep.God give you grace to bear and bare such stories.
I love the way you present any case in ur table 😢❤🎉
Anyone who believes in witchcraft is a perpetrator of this violence.
So there's no law in Kenya?
The criminal justice system sucks in Kenya, and many African countries
If you don't have money sometimes it's difficult
How can you have a law in any country when the police are hardly payed?
@@isaymymind1727police is private it’s no more government property
@@isaymymind1727they are payed but meagre pay.
They would have gone to strike if what you allude to is true!
I feel sad that this is happening in my home country Kenya at this day and age 😢
David ( that son with dreadlocks ) is quite defensive and appears to be harboring a lot of emotions. It is clear from his body language that he is not in good terms with his father.
The justice system is the one that can help eradicate these stupid beliefs
Difficult watching this but truly superb and courageous reporting by Njeri Mwangi.
I never thought Kenya was this lawless....yoooo tears are getting the better part of me
The tears of the old men and women will curse the whole Kilifi county.
I dont believe in witchcraft, miracle and supernatural no science evidence. Am an animal but with more intelligent. God/Creators gave me wisdom.
I grew up on a street called Haddington in Banjul,The Gambia. It is rumoured to be replete with witches thought I've seen more. Watching this makes me immensely glad our lives werent under threat...
The government should intervene this painful act .what a disgrace 😭
Its Kenya, where justice is for the highest bidder. God have mercy for us.
So sad.😢😢thank you for doing this story
Bev, it is not sad but appalling .
I've really cried with Katana and his son. I still don't believe that old age is almost a crime in some communities. So sad and heartbreaking.
Some violent cultural practices are still engrained in some cultures. Just like FGM, or child marriage, abuse of the elderly should be a capital offence. The law has to meet this barbaric practises.
😢so sorry boy , stop crying dad is home ❤️❤️❤️
My heart aches for these elderly gems. But just to think about all they sacrificed, struggled & raised their family. Only to be killed & disregarded by the same family they took care of!! May our Ancestors, keep them covered @ all times..Father GOD protect them, from evil & wrong doings!!🙏🏾🤎😰💔
Pure evil ! Ephesians 6. Families and Land tussles is a big issue
That bible your quoting is the reason why we lost our freedom, land not to forget the many lives we lost to colonialism all thanks to the way paved for colonialist by christian missionaries, I'm glad my generation are slowly leaving religious agendas behind, we are all human and need to treat each other with humanity.
@@thebookofjayyyPretty sure what the bible hasn't done anything wrong to you. For a fact the old ways are the readon this stuff is still happening
@@thebookofjayyypreach
Bible says do not suffer a witch to live.
@@BushidoOmodo Oh he has! . God has moved mountains for me and continues to do so. I will constantly sing his songs of praise . Jesus tells us remember who they persecuted first! so let me continue praising
I know people from Kenya to be the most PEACEFUL AND HUMBLE PEOPLE ON THIS EARTH
🇿🇦
What a lovely comment. Thanks
Young people need to understand that their misfortunes are caused by their governments and them taking bad decisions, not their elderly people
Very heartbreaking and sad in such a beautiful place. The lady is outwardly strong but you can tell the anguish runs deep.
It is so unreal i am a native of Kilifi lack of education poverty land problems started with the government marginalizing we Mijikenda not issuesing title to land owners they do so during political campaigns so as to gather votes if you may want to assist please 🙏 start by education so that we may understand before 😢😢😢😢 taking action
bt some are evil spirit behind it not normal at all 😢
So insightful
& Sad at the same time
I am a Giryama, this story saddens me...😢
Thanks Njeri fot your intervention
God will bless you abundantly
Heart breaking 💔 watching from India 🇮🇳
Heartbreaking yet eye-opening 😢👌
heart breaking
The accusers forget that they too will be old.
😢This is difficult to watch 😢 with this mindset with this mentality will Africa ever know development and growth??GOD BLESS AFRICA GOD BLESS THE BBC!
Prayers for everyone in Africa.
Prayer won't save Africa.
Jaylin, this is rural Kenya not africa. prayers for everyone across americas because land grab is vey real in the uS also.
@@PHlophe Rural Kenya is not in Africa???? OMG...feather brains really exist
@@isaymymind1727 Africa is a CONTINENT . rural Kenya is a tiny portion of the very large CONTINENT that is nearly twice as large as Europe. Perhaps you should buy yourself a new brain because the one that screwed on top of your current rig has expired.
@@PHlophe Rural Kenya is in Africa and in the rest of RURAL Africa has similar traites.
Not in our Botswana. We don't even try accuse anyone of witchcraft. We are blessed in our country. In fact elderly get pension and mostly are offered good ration by Government every month till death.
Wow Senior Pres Seretsi Karme( with his wife's support) nd Their son Did well to honour nd Respect The old nd people of Botswana it's good to know those laws still in place. Blessings to Botswana Leaders nd it's people. Wish the other African country's would emulate ea hithers Good practises
Botswana is the only country in Africa that dont play with human rights. Women and children are protected, police dont take bribes and dont play around. The only country that has Execution.. The mandatory punishment for murder is death,. I wish Kenya and other countries can learn from this country. Education is free and people see where their tax goes to unlike Rutos gover ment. 😢
Bcs if western influence democratic values. We need western intervention
Botswana was a protectorate of the British. They continue to ensure that no one disturbs their diamond purse. That is why you are not victim to lots of troubles. It is not because Tswanas are superior or super human. You are lucky and you deserve it. Enjoy it while it lasts. PS: Diamond belts under ground, if they are mined , have a lifespan.
@@isaymymind1727 they adopted democratic values unloke DRC and the rest full of diamonds infets3d with conflict
This is the first step to justice, i never new there's such issues in Kenya. and thank you Njeri and BBC AED for coming through and exposed the invisible. NOTHING STAYS HIDDEN FOREVER.
Excellent documentary but so so heartbreaking
😢😢i try so hard not to cry but sikuweza it's break my heart😢😢God have mercy🙏
This lady is good at her job
I am sorry but I don't believe a word Chris said, his whole approach and manerism to the interview says exactly what his father alleged. I could be wrong. He does not have a bit of time for his family meeting but has time for the journalist? Awe sure. This documentary is soo sad, made me cry.
I couldn't stop crying while watching this documentary. This is ridiculous, and heartbreaking.
This brought me to tears 😔😔😟😟
Oooh Lord.. have mercy on these people… the wife pain is killing me… nooooo why people are sooo cruel
It's so good that this was finally documented - I do pray that the authorities act on this shame...
i feel like crying as an advocate my lord
I can’t stop crying soooo sad
This is unacceptable. Kenyan government must stop these nonsensical killings. They pry on these old people because of their vulnerability. What kind of society are we building if we can’t protect the weak 😢?
It looks like arranged marriages may be an issue too.
Calling your husband “the old man” and not talking to him is strange.
Plenty of times it is the local politicians who accuse them just to steal the land…
Very sad to see these old people suffering at the hands of their own children. Heartless greed. May God comfort and keep them as the system has failed them.
Why are the government and the authorities so reluctant to solve this heartbreaking/inhumane act, particularly to the elderly people... it's so painful watching our elderlys being attacked due to greediness....May God protects our African elderly people...
This is so sad and it breaks my heart
i care about him because i met him when i was young 15:38 this really broke my heart
This has been going on across all African countries..
Even my mother was called a witch by her own daughter
Real life is like a movie. Absolutely crazy 😢. The government must have something to do with this form of land grabbing
Documentary is very true! Once witnessed an old man🇰🇪 walking in the road being told to never walk In that specific place. The youth confronting him believed he was casting spells of witchcraft
I know nothing about the history of demonising witches in Africa but in Europe it was intended to split up community women couldnt gather anymore or it was a coven and remove knowledge of and connection to land as a relationship. It is submitting to the enticement of capitalism and moving toward white ways. No good will come of it. Tis an insatiable beast
I HAAAATE wickedness so MUCH!! How can I support??? oh Lord let me help some of these elder! Especially the man who went back to his family but the family (his wife) wasn’t happy to see him at all!😢 and the poor old woman crying for her husband!😭 Lord have mercy on Africa! We the new generation need to do better! We need our elders just as much they need us!!!!! Oh Africa let us fight for our country and love and protect each other! Turn away from evil and fear the Lord!💔
We as the children, are getting worse- its a disgrace. Our parents have done the best, the best to their ability they could do for their children. They should be cared for,loved and respected always. This is so wrong on so many levels.
oh my goodness, the cry of the little boy.....let justice be served,may GOD AVENGE
Breaks my heart