Panel G: Sub-Saharan Africa and the Victorian Occult

Abstract

The interaction between Sub-Saharan Africa and the Victorian Occult is not one that has been deeply explored by Historians, instead choosing to focus on Egypt and India. This paper explores the interactions between the Victorians and Sub-Saharan Africa and its influence on the Occult. The Victorian’s interest in Africa came alongside the rest of Europe in the so-called “Scramble for Africa” in the late colonial age. To the average Englishman, Africa was a place filled with jungles, mystery, and adventure. Many explorers of Africa never outright denied the existence of mythical creatures inhabiting this land, and other writers made up stories publishing them as fact. These tales ran wild in the imaginations of Victorians, as did accounts of religious practices of local tribes. From simple tales of cursed items to extravagant accounts of cannibalism, the Victorians were hooked. Accounts from Africa even dug their fingers into the clutches of the Freemasons, only strengthening their preexisting beliefs. Through fascinating tales and colonial experiences, Sub-Saharan Africa influenced the Victorian occult by introducing new mythical creatures and practices of rituals and magic while reinforcing pre-existing beliefs.