The Jujus 

          Covering her injured face with her scarf she said, "You misunderstand me. Do you know why I don't take my mobile? Do you know why I don't call you? It's all down to him! He calls me every day! Ten, twenty times! My phone rings and it's always him! Always the same menacing message, "We are many. If you dare to return, we'll stab you."

"But if you leave your mobile at home how can your other friends keep in touch with you?" Asked Mama Witch Doctor.

"I don't care, I told them my phone was locked"

"Why don't you just change the number?"

"There's no point. The ring sets me off. When I get a call, I get nervous and begin to shake with nerves."

"Why?" Mama asked.

"Well, it's a bit upsetting to be told people are going to kill you, isn't it?" she replied sarcastically. I give them some back, swearing at the voices and shouting that they'll never get me."

"How many of them are there? Have you ever seen them?"

"I don't know how many there are but I know some of them. They're family and friends. My own sister, can you believe, my own sister is one of them!"

"What exactly do they say when they call you?"

"Oh, it's always the same. Threats, trying to frighten me."

"And you believe them?"

"I certainly do. They're not joking and the threats are real. If they ever find me they'll kill me."

"How many different threats are there?"

"Four or five. I'm not sure exactly."

"And the demons phoning you?"

"About a dozen. I really didn't count them."

"Can I see your facial injuries, please?

The woman removed her scarf.

"What have they done to you!" The witch doctor was aghast. 

"It's unbelievable. Every time they attack me they act like hyenas. They shout, bite, scratch, and jump up and down on me. They beat and threaten me. They put a knife to my throat. They scream at me. “We know how much money you've got.” they shout and say “We even know how you got it”. You sleep with men for money. You're just a common tart. Well, I give as good as I get, calling them names and giving them the finger. I've proved myself stronger than they are. After all, I'm still standing."

"How did you show you were stronger?"

"One night I caught one of them and nearly strangled him. But his friends saved him. I never saw them again. They realized I was stronger."

"And you dreamt all this?"

"No, no, it was real. They attacked me when I was in bed." 

She opened her blouse and showed the Witchdoctor lots of bite marks. These marks show it was real.

“I had blood everywhere. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to wash  the bedclothes."

She pinched the skin on her stomach." They grip me like that. They're trying to kill me. Look at my back, hands, and feet. All disfigured. Am I in big trouble? Am I in danger? What do they want? Money? I don't know why they're doing this."

"You think they definitely want money?"

"Oh yes, there's no doubt about it. I used to send them small amounts but they always wanted more. I tried to explain that I didn't have anymore but they said I should have lots as I lived in Europe.”

The woman continued to cry. "Please help me, I beg you," she wailed.

"I've lost two boyfriends due to this and my son left me. My daughter attempted suicide. I'm on my own and have no contacts in this country. I'm really at my wits' end."

"Hush now, I'm with you. Don’t worry.”

"I'm scared. Please tell me I'm not going to die!"

"No, you're not going to die. But you need healing."

"If I send money again will their jujus stop torturing me?"

"Perhaps. I don't know yet."

“But I thought you knew everything. You're a witch doctor. What do your jujus say?"

"If you reckon they're very dangerous, why not give them more money?"

"But I just told you I don't have any. The only way I can get more is through prostitution and it wouldn't be enough anyway."

The witch doctor refilled her Imindi (1) and went into the kitchen to get a lighter. After using it, she offered it to her client as a gift. "Take it," she smiled. "I've got plenty more."

Settling back in her chair, she delivered her verdict. "The bad jujus are merciless, a lot of bastards. Horrible, ugly, evil, and murderous. They're looking to see if you're weak. If you are, they won't let up. They can kill you, even here in Europe.”

"They can't. I've shown them how strong I am.”

"They've targeted many people, now they're targeting you. They're nasty. They can regenerate in your own body. If you don't get help soon you'll be full of bad jujus."

"How do you know that? You're scaring me!"

"My jujus say, they want to help you. Fortunately, they want to heal you."

"Can they do that? I wish they did."

"Wait a minute. Keep quiet please, otherwise I can't hear what they're saying. They're saying you shouldn't denigrate yourself. Be strong and confident.”

“What about my ex-boyfriends? Will he come back to me?”

“Maybe, But tell them they were weak. You were stronger than them.”

“You are right. They were very weak. My son and daughter were weak too. They were as soft as soap."

“So, you confirm what my Jujus say?”

"Yes. Ask them if they can rid me of bad jujus?"

"Wait.”

The witch doctor slipped her hand under a linen bag which she had with her, and after a 2 seconds, she said, “they say of course. They can do lots of things. They just mustn't make them angry."

"Thank God for that!"

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Do you think I'm ill?" The woman asked.

"Don't get upset but frankly yes, I think you are. But don’t worry."

"No, I’m not. The bad jujus tried to make me feel unwell but they failed. Do you think I ought to see a doctor?"

"Doctors can't help you as long as you're in denial."

The woman got a small pouch from her bag and put it on the table in front of the witch doctor.

"I'm sorry, Mama, I just want to be free of these bad jujus. Show them I'm not alone. They'll give up when they see what they have to contend with now. Show them they can't get me as long as I've you by my side."

Mama took the proffered money and asked, "Do you really feel this is affecting your brain?"

"Yes, I keep telling you. They come at night when I'm trying to sleep. It's like having a hive of bees in my head.

They shout at me. “We kill you now. We string you up."

“The neighbors always call the police and complain against me. They think it’s me shouting at night. They don’t know it's jujus.”

“Unfortunately these European’s don’t know anything about our Jujus.” Witchdoctor said.

Putting the pouch in her pocket she told the woman not to worry and her good jujus would drive the bad ones out.

"But it will come at a price. My jujus don't come cheap. Of course, the money isn't for me - I've got a good job - but I need to keep my jujus fed and watered. Their powers could all end tomorrow so they have to be fed whilst they can. You understand, don't you?"

"Yes of course."

"Good. Oh, by the way, I might have to beat you. Not as a punishment but I'm encouraging the jujus to leave your body. We'll just keep the physical stuff between ourselves, so as not to alarm the authorities. You know what these Europeans are like! All right?"

"Yes, OK."

"Now, I cannot do all this without my tools. I'll have to contact my sister back in Africa for all my regalia, oils, bones, and dried animal skins, etc. You'll have to pay the transport costs."

"Yes, of course."

"When I left my homeland many years ago, I left all my stuff there. I never thought I'd need it in Europe. I wish my sister would keep it all. You know in Africa, if you were not at the place, you were not the owner of your things. I miss my dry black frog and yellow turtle."

"Yes, you are right. And I never thought I'd need a witch doctor!” The woman said.

“But you need to be on your guard or else it's a hospital for you!”

“I do. If I wanted to be in the hospital I would never be here.”

“Please call me Mama. After all, we're friends now, aren't we?

“Yes. We are. When would you like the treatment to begin?"

"As soon as possible!" The woman said.

"Ok. Well, if I call my sister tomorrow it should take 20 - 30 days for it all to arrive. Oh, I forgot. I'll have to send her money for postage and packaging upfront. She won't be able to afford it off her own bat, not with five children and a husband permanently off work with heart disease.”

The woman searched in her bag and put another pounch on the table “that’s for your regalia’s transport fees.” I don’t have any more with me at the moment. I’m on the way to Africa, you will receive more when I come back. Please pray for me.”

“Do you prefer it if I send the jujus packing or I kill them all here?"

"Just kill them where I can see them, in front of me. I want the bastards to beg, just as I begged them to leave me alone."

"Right, I can do that for you. But you'll only be able to hear them, not see them. You won't be able to understand their language either. But it's all right. I'll translate. Keep your mobile with you. I can even send my good Jujus to your head by a wave. "

The woman got up and, replacing the scarf around her neck, prepared to leave. "Well, that's a weight off my mind. Thank you, Mama, thank you. I've already got the tickets. I'm staying for a few months in a remote village. I need to commune with nature and feel the hot sun on my back. Perhaps the bad jujus will leave my head whilst I'm there. Please don't tell anybody about today’s visit with you. I haven't even told my mother."

"Don't worry. Enjoy your rest. I can work on this. You don't have to be here in my presence for this to work." Puffing on her Imindi, Mama saw her visitor at the door. " Don't forget. It's down to me if you return healthy. They'll remove all the bad jujus, It’s a promise."

(1)     Imindi = a type of pipe made of clay and cooked in the fire.
KZ