Week 05 - Akata Witch

When first reading about the witches in “Akata Witch,” I didn’t view them as witches. I used to believe that witches were women who wore black pointy hats, had green skin and big noses, and flew around on magic brooms, using their skills for evil purposes. When delving into my research, I discovered that there is a broader spectrum of witches, and that there isn’t really any defining physical, appearance-wise traits to them. Many, however, cast spells and possess some form of magic. 

Orlu, Chichi, and Sasha possess different forms of magical powers. Orlu can “undo bad things” or juju. Chichi can remember everything she reads, similar to Sasha’s ability. They call themselves “leopard people” rather than witches. They use their powers for good, teaming up with Sunny to catch the serial killer Black Hat Otokoto. Their teachings and culture are not what I expected either. They use chittim as a form of currency. Masquerades are not events where others wear masks, but are rather described as “dangerous symbolic manifestations of the ancestors or spirits.” Many other details in this novel are not what I used to believe were traits and attributes of stereotypical witches. 

Witches can be tied to how women were once objectified. Either a woman is sexualized and forced to “obey the man,” or they were “evil or feral witches” that could live in freedom. The characters in “Akata Witch” break this stereotype, using their powers for good to stop a force of evil. “Akata Witch” is, in my opinion, a fantastic new way of looking at witches and their culture that breaks the stereotype of “Harry Potter” or “Wizard of Oz,” and discourages the idea that witches are just women who refuse to live and serve men.