THE “POWERS” AND THE POWER: “TRADITIONAL” AUTHORITIES, STATE AND WITCHCRAFT IN GUINEA-BISSAU

Abstract

The issue of “traditional power” in Guinea-Bissau today brings up a debate that dates back to the colonial period, in which the Portuguese had the chiefs as intermediaries between the colonial administration and the local population. Currently, the government of Guinea-Bissau seeks to obtain political support from the chiefs through various subterfuges, while the so-called “traditional authorities” seek the same privileges enjoyed during the colonial period, which has led to disputes over “traditional” power, through which to represent a certain community allows access to project resources and land ownership. The data presented in this paper were collected during field research in Guinea-Bissau and the discussion to be held will be based on oral reports obtained through informal conversations and interviews conducted in the city of Bissau and other locations. The analysis of some specific cases of conflict over “traditional power” points to a certain pattern: men who have economic and political power seek to occupy positions as chieftains or “traditional” representatives of certain communities; the Guinean State, to a certain extent, repeats the same modus operandi of the colonial administration to keep the chieftains under its tutelage through direct donations of money to these actors; and the chieftains already established in power, while trying to gain more political power for themselves, argue that the figures who are usurping the positions of “traditional power” do not have the “power” necessary for the position.