Muti (also spelt Muthi) is a term for traditional medicine in southern Africa. The word Muti is derived from the Zulu word for tree, of which the root is -thi. African traditional medicine makes use of various natural products, many of which are derived from trees. For this reason, medicine generally is known as Muti, but it is also applied to formulations used in traditional medical dispensing (Ashforth, 2005).
As part of Muti practices, some witchdoctors make use of the so-called ‘medicine murder’ or ‘Muti murder’, where body parts are removed from the bodies of living persons. The intention is not to kill the victims as such, but it is expected that they will die due to the damage inflicted (Ashforth, 2005). Muti-murder is difficult to describe concisely, as it has changed over time, involving an ever-greater variety of perpetrator, victim, method and motive. In the interviews conducted as part of this research project, Muti using body parts is used widely and for many purposes.
Ashforth (2005) defines Muti as a substance fabricated with parts from plants, animals or minerals by an expert person possessing secret knowledge to achieve healing or witchcraft substances. He mentions that both Healers and witches use supernatural forces, but they use it for different ends. He says that witchcraft is considered the act of malicious persons who use harmful substances (poison) and that TH administer aid to patients, and almost always dispense substances (medicine), but both substances are known generically as Muti. He further states that witches using Muti are said to be able to cause every disease and misfortune and a number of Healers claim to be able to cure every disease (including AIDS) and to remedy every misfortune. This is supported by an interview with a Traditional Healer in Nampula, Mozambique, a member of AMETRAMO, “AIDS does have a cure […] It is probable that, mentally a Traditional Healer can cure AIDS according to his or her information”. However, another informant, also a member of the same organisation, but from Beira, stated “Who can heal someone with AIDS in this world? Nobody! Until today there is no medicine”.
Ashforth’s report mentions that Muti substances can enter the body through the mouth, lungs, skin, sexual intercourse and anus, thus anyone who eats, drinks, breathes or puts the body in contact with other persons or substances needs to be careful. Also Muti is said to work over long distances, without needing any direct contact between witch and victim and can even work through the medium of a dream (Ashforth 2005). Muti has a strong hold on many, as one informant in Mozambique stated “People have a deep belief in it”. Another informant in South Africa stated “It is the belief that you must have Muti for the business to work. The sad part is that they no longer use Muti as we knew it, but body parts”. This belief is further confirmed by other informants from South Africa “It is working because some people who are associated with the use of the parts are untouchable”, “People believe body parts can be utilized as Muti to call customers or to attract customers to buy more in their businesses”.
