Years and years ago, all the best tribes had a witchdoctor. If you didnt have a witchdoctor - you were nobody.
The typical witchdoctor was no good at hunting, fighting or making things with his hands, but he had a good brain.
The chief and his bondsmen was the executive branch of the tribe, organising thing and getting them done, but the witchdoctor was the blue skies thinker. He got all his authority from 'the gods'. He was the only one who communicated with them and when the gods spoke, you had better listen boy.
So the witchdoctor sat back and watched, and he realised that the war with the Umbongoes was not a good idea for the tribe. When there was a drought, he said 'I had a dream, the gods say the war is bad, and they have punished us'
Even the chief couldnt argue with that. So the war ended, the tribe prospered, the witchdoctor smiled to himself, and let the nubiles oil his hair and rub his totem pole.
Of course the witchdoctor didnt know what caused the drought. But he knew that if he tried to reason with the chief, he would end up in the pot. much better to frighten the wits out people with a lie, get the job done and keep the nubiles as well.
After all, it's not the truth that matters, it's what the people believe.
The typical witchdoctor was no good at hunting, fighting or making things with his hands, but he had a good brain.
The chief and his bondsmen was the executive branch of the tribe, organising thing and getting them done, but the witchdoctor was the blue skies thinker. He got all his authority from 'the gods'. He was the only one who communicated with them and when the gods spoke, you had better listen boy.
So the witchdoctor sat back and watched, and he realised that the war with the Umbongoes was not a good idea for the tribe. When there was a drought, he said 'I had a dream, the gods say the war is bad, and they have punished us'
Even the chief couldnt argue with that. So the war ended, the tribe prospered, the witchdoctor smiled to himself, and let the nubiles oil his hair and rub his totem pole.
Of course the witchdoctor didnt know what caused the drought. But he knew that if he tried to reason with the chief, he would end up in the pot. much better to frighten the wits out people with a lie, get the job done and keep the nubiles as well.
After all, it's not the truth that matters, it's what the people believe.
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