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The Spirit of Competition: Wak in Burkina Faso

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Patrick Royer
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Abstract

This article examines the occult powers used to obtain protection or to gain an advantage in modern competitive arenas. In Burkina Faso, these powers are widely known as wak. The discussion focuses on sporting events, an area largely neglected in the recent literature on sorcery and modernity. Unlike what is often assumed or claimed about beliefs in occult powers, it is suggested that wak acts a complement and not as the condition of an individual's talent or success.

Résumé

Cet article examine les forces occultes utilisées pour obtenir une protection ou un avantage dans des domaines compétitifs modernes. Au Burkina Faso, ces forces sont connues sous le nom de wak. La discussion porte sur les manifestations sportives, secteur largement négligé dans la littérature récente sur le thème sorcellerie et modemité. Contrairement à qu'on suppose ou avance souvent sur les croyances dans les forces occultes, l'article suggère que le wak joue un rôle de complément et non de condition du talent ou du succès d'un individu.

Type
Research Article
Information
Africa , Volume 72 , Issue 3 , August 2002 , pp. 464 - 483
Copyright
Copyright © International African Institute 2002

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