By Leo Igwe
After reading The juju curse that binds trafficked Nigerian women into sex slavery by Lorenzo Tondo and Annie Kelly in The Guardian recently, I said one emphatic thing to myself: enough!
Yes, enough of this sweet, flimsy nonsense in the Western press. There is a need to critically assess this cheap narrative that is being peddled to explain the trafficking of Nigerian women and modern sex slavery in Europe.
Western journalists, NGO workers, and their African collaborators know better and could do better. They definitely understand the issues at stake; for some reason they have chosen to shy away from them.
First, let us take a look at this story in The Guardian. Tondo and Kelly described an African Pentecostal church in Palermo, Italy where young Nigerian women congregate to pray and to try to free themselves from the bad spirits which traffickers supposedly put in their bodies.
The self-proclaimed prophetess used the service to free these women from the spell. The authors noted that these women were under African “juju curses” which had forced them to remain in prostitution in Europe for the rest of their lives. They pointed out the case of a woman who had been battling juju curses for ‘10 years’.
Tondo and Kelly claimed that this spiritual process was an abuse of the religious and cultural belief system in Nigeria and argued that this abuse was responsible for keeping tens of thousands of women under the control of human traffickers in Europe. Well, I beg to differ.
A Do-or-Die-Journey
I have been living in Europe since 2011. Before then I lived in Nigeria, the country where these women are trafficked, for 41 years. I worked for local and international NGOs and in the course of my work, I dealt with issues that were connected to rituals, juju, human trafficking and witchcraft. Since the early 90s, harsh economic realities forced many Nigerians including women to flee the country in search of a better life overseas.
Many Nigerians who left the country ended up being trafficked and exploited by middlemen and women who promised to help them reach their destinations or secure jobs overseas. Due to legal issues and lack of requisite skills, many of these persons were forced to take up odd jobs including the sale of drugs or prostitution in order to survive.
The economic situation in Nigeria has not really improved, and many Nigerians are still desperate to migrate overseas at the slightest opportunity despite the risks and reports of deaths in the Mediterranean Sea and the high chances of being deported.
Many Nigerians are still signing up to be trafficked with the hope of being the few lucky ones who would successfully make it to Europe. Let’s face it, their dreams are not entirely misplaced. The fact is that there have been some Nigerian women who were trafficked and sold into prostitution ‘who actually made it by certain standards’. They came back with a lot of cash and built luxurious apartments. It is a case of the end justifies the means. Therefore, many Nigerian women risk going to Europe, juju or no juju. They want to try their luck just like other Nigerian men and women who get trafficked.
The issue of the ‘juju’ curses is a mere scare tactic, a smokescreen to disguise this desperation to leave and to “make it”.
Why Focus on Trafficked Women in Europe?
Now it is pertinent to ask why this juju scare is associated with Nigerian women who were trafficked to Europe. Why are we not hearing about the spell that is used to control other trafficked women in other places around the world?
What happened to the bad spirits that traffickers placed in the bodies of these women in other parts of Africa and the Middle East? Why are trafficked Nigerian women not battling with juju curses in the United States, South Africa, Mali, in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates? Why are we not hearing about churches and Nigerian pastors, prophets, and prophetesses in other countries devoting their services to exorcising the bad spirits from trafficked women in these places? Simply put, why only trafficked women in Europe? I believe the answer lies in the European society. There is something in the European situation that gives life to juju curses among trafficked women- and we must unravel it.
Legal Situation of Prostitution
There tends to be a huge market for commercial sex work in Europe and many Nigerian women want to take advantage of this market. The European sex industry is attractive and seemingly lucrative. Unlike many parts of the world, prostitutes in Europe have some protection under the law.
In fact, I understood during a visit some years ago that such legal protection did not exist for commercial sex workers in the United States except in the state of Nevada. Commercial sex work is an illicit business that may land persons providing such services and the customers in jail.
So many Nigerian women make this perilous journey to Europe, suffer extortion and exploitation, in order to be a part of this market. Unfortunately, they arrive in Europe only to discover that they may not legally partake and profit from this market as they had imagined or as they had been promised due to immigration issues.
No Papers and Juju Scare Narratives
With no legal documents that can enable them live and work in Europe, these trafficked women are literally nobodies. They become sex slaves and operate illicitly. The women live in constant fear of being deported and so, out of desperation, they came up with reasons to avoid being sent back to Nigeria where a grimmer life situation awaited them: “juju” curse. Yes this was how this juju scare narrative was invented.
The juju curse story is a child of necessity and survival. However, it has gained traction within the immigration system in Europe. In fact, the juju curse narrative has become an effective strategy to negotiate asylum. It has made it possible for many trafficked women to win their asylum cases and eventually stay back legally in Europe. Some have had their deportation delayed or were able to secure a more ‘dignified return’ to Nigeria. But this does not negate the fact these juju curse claims are baseless and absurd.
Conclusion
Journalists and NGO workers should pay critical attention to the real plight and predicament of Nigerian trafficked women. They should stop peddling flimsy juju scare narratives as if they are the main reason Nigerian trafficked women get trapped in sex slavery in Europe. By attempting to throw light on mystical or other ‘cultural traditions’ in the name of diversity, western journalists unwittingly deny relief to those abused by systems that have little to do with ‘culture’.
The juju curse stories, both real or imagined, are useful devices for these desperate, psychologically battered and traumatised trafficked women in negotiating a better treatment for themselves on arrival in Europe. Unfortunately, unknown to these women, these narratives align with the stereotypical image of a primitive Africa, and the impression of Africans among western scholars and the public, as people whose minds are driven by magical fears and occult anxieties, in the process making it more difficult for scepticism and a spirit of healthy inquiry to flourish in Africa.
It is imperative that journalists, social workers and scholars look below the juju surface for the economic, political, legal and social reasons why trafficked Nigerian women are trapped in the business of prostitution and do not want to return to their country. The “juju curse” is not a solid reason for Nigerian women remaining as sex slaves in Europe. Scratch below the surface, and another narrative appears.
Interesting article which for the most part I would have to agree. I would have to add that the British social services, the NHS and our mental institutions, do have a tendency to like unusual customs, unusual behaviour, as to be diagnosed as a mental health condition most often as Bi polar. When such cases come my way it gives me hope { not for the institutions } but for the asylum case. For owning a certificate of poor mental health is a sure fire way to gain full legal status with a paid for immigration solicitor.It is amazing that once legal papers have been granted, the patient’s mental health suddenly improves.I hasten to add that going through British status procedure, is debilitating, cruel and degrading and stressful to the extreme. Everybody has a right to their identity and dignity.
Juju is a belief in fetish, emulets and objects with supernatural powers for control of ones thoughts, feelings and actions. Common among the Yorubas in sub Sahara Africa. Forced migration of young African women especially Nigerians to Europe for prostitution in most cases is a conscious decision by these women who seek better economic opportunities and hard currency. None of these women believe in Juju, but it is a great tragic and frankly laughable story for many reasons. In Gambia the girls are well aware of the risks, as they are in Ghana, Nigeria and other poor countries. The genesis of these type of human trafficking is the incompetent and corrupt government that creat dare economic situations in African countries. African parents should stop putting unrealistic expectations on their girls and boys to support and provide for an extended and large family unit. Those that encourage their children to embark and embrace a perilous journey through the back way to Europe with hopes of financial independence need to be aware of the risks to their sons and daughters. African politicians must stop stealing and Africans must stop supporting, encouraging and accepting corruption as a norm. Finally the receiver countries must not encourage and allow prostitution and human trafficking to flourish unabated.
Fine words my good doctor; But the moral and legal question is not answered. The gentleman suggests that it is better to be a prostitute in the West because there are some protections. But says nothing about selling young bodies for money. If you are illegal you have no rights in the host country. Even reporting rape or violence or theft to the Police, leaves the complainant in grave risk of detention and deportation. To enter the seedy underworld of prostitution and drug trafficking is a slippery slope down to drug addiction, deprivation and destitution. even death, without a name or identity, buried in an unmarked grave by the local council.These are very serious issues that the writer seems to think is entirely a Western governments problem. It is not. It is an African problem forced on the innocent and vulnerable by poverty. The fetish that some of her clients indulge her to commit are really filthy and disgusting. One girl I know who I rescued…said she was asked to let a man piss on her face for £30.
The woman was hiv positive and wandering the streets looking for clients. She had not taken her medication for 6 months, was totally confused with the virus affecting her brain. She was rushed to hospital and escaped death by only a few hours. She had also been indulging in unprotected sex..for a few extra pounds. JuJus and culture aside….this is a very serious problem, not to be taken lightly. I think a females opinion on this issue would reveal a very different commentary.
To add; I don’t think any African female would be prepared to reveal herself of he degrading circumstance, because the African would ostracise and condemn her to isolation or worse. So this secretive social curse will continue.
I think what this story demonstrates, first of all, is that Africa still has enormous problems that are some how related to its “culture” and “religion”, but stemming mainly from ignorance and greed, that has to be tackled for the wellbeing of our peoples.
I can agree with the view that the desire to acquire the right status in Europe may force many into all kinds of fraudulent activities and behaviour, but I disagree with the complete dismissal of belief in “jujus”, as simply a ploy to acquire papers.
There are many people who actually believe in “jujus” (and other mystical beliefs) and indulge in rituals, sometimes with fatal consequences, to fulfill whatever madness they may believe in.
The discovery of the headless torso of the boy called “Adam” in the Thames in 2001, who was later connected to some Nigerians, was believed to be the victim of some ritualistic practice.
Nigeria, unfortunately, is one country that can showcase the best of Africa, as well as the worst, all in one day (so to speak) and despite the level of education and progress, one gets the feeling that the Nigerian national psyche is not right, when they are engaged or followed on their public platforms.
They need a cultural and religious “glasnost” and “perestroika” over there to be saved.
There is extreme poverty in Africa. Personally, I believe that if you want to know how poor a country is look at the number of its citizens that are working and living outside the country. This Juju thing is overrated! and sadly, some clerics have capitalized on it to control the people in Africa. We want to solve all our problems by praying and fasting and charity, but we dont want to plan properly and work hard. Our first and major priority in this continent is to ensure that huge resources are deployed to ensure people are educated and we work towards improving economic conditions here. AFrica is in dire need of leaders, not fraudsters. Until we get these things right we will continue to move in circles. I am committed to making Africa a better place for myself and my neighbors. God’s blessing is upon us already, let us act!
They say it is a measure of any nation in how it treats its senior citizens and how it educates its children. It is also said that prostitution is the oldest professional occupation in the world’ Poverty has been around for about the same time. We shouldn’t get the idea that these are new issues. I have lived with African women since 1996. I married two of them and had civil partnerships with several others. I regret most had immigration issues. But that is another story. However, almost all had a love affair with the contents of their handbags, which was a private place. But occasionally they would sort out the contents upon the table to reveal some very strange items { I laugh } Voodoo drawings of people, sometimes accompanied by chants or sayings. A tiger’s claw, A piece of bone, a packet of dead spiders, a lock of grey hair, and other colours, a snake’s tail and all things creepy.I have even seen two of my partners, fly through a closed window. One of them flew through a leaded front door light no bigger than 12 inches x 8 inches. On this occasion the police were called as the door glass was shattered and the strong leaded lite which held the glass, was destroyed. The lady was an unwelcomed guest. The policeman asked how did she get through that ? I said I swear to God I was standing 6 feet away and she seemed to float through the door. We pondered for some time as the door was still bolted from the inside. The police came in from the back door over a wall. So I am a believer. What I have witnessed can not be explained by any normal measure. That is impossible, even under the longest stretched imagination. I am aware that their are African witches in London of different nationalities.. The Zimbabwean’s call them Sengo men. Every Lady I have known has recalled strange events from childhood up to the present day. Especially my Nigerian friends. JU JU’s are a part of African life. This cannot be denied.Many have explained to me that if you believe it then it can control you. Maybe I’m bewitched and locked onto Jollof News forever>>>whoaoaoaoaoao….lolol.
Juju is not to be taken lightly ! It is very real ! Take a look at the juju of the former leader of The Gambia yaya jammeh if you don’t believe ! From penniless soldier to unstoppable billionaire ! And every coupe attempt was foiled until his luck ran out ! Children are grown up with juju and indoctrinated as with any strong religion ! The innocent mind can be programmed to believe in anything and Africans promote fear as a means of control! Yes they are looking for a better life, yes their families have high expectations and yes their rulers are corrupt and greedy ! But so are ours in the west ! They need help understanding the global market ! Education and jobs ! Until the west stops raping their resources and gives something other than secondhand unwanted rubbish back things will never improve ! It’s good to hear that finally a program for young girls to decide on family planing is being introduced in Nigeria , at last!We are in the21st century after all ! More education , more resources and less exploitation is a way forward !
Yes Erika; I was told never to accept a drink of water by the hand of an African woman; another time I was invited up the Gambian river at midnight to meet with men who performed “rituals” You could ask for a curse on your enemies or good health or wealth. The man had a strange look in his eyes like he was from another planet or in a trance. I declined.
Ha ha ha! then the juju knowledge must be basically associated with evil to have potential to entrench misrules and enable highway robbery of public fund. Juju must be the evil power behind thirst, hunger and famine in Africa as it turns the lives of penniless Africans to presidents and then multimillionaires. If there is anything good associated with Juju, then its spell should be used to bound the African child’s brain with knowledge to build aeroplanes and rockets to fly cheaply from place to place and into space. Beliefs are rife amongst Africans that, wow, people can spiritually fly from continent to continent for whatever theirissions are..? But gee!, they can’t come to the rescue of sinking dinghies as their younger generations drown in the Mediterranean trying to cross into greener pastures. Still, most survivors of such journeys would be adamant that jujus kept them alive. Just look at the intrigued and stupefied faces of spectators as Yayah Jammeh smears fermented mixures of herbs on a young lady… You can bet on it that he is telling himself, ‘I Yayah have become a prophet now’.
I doubt if jujus are not curing just one to make thirty sick. Every feasible scientific knowledge creates touchable and usable goods instead loads of mysticism and superstitions. If jujus do work for goodness, why won’t they apply it to make things better in Africa/Gambia so its citizens can start coming to fermented as tourist instead of demoralised and desperate looking immigrants to process statuses at the mercy of disgruntled and contemptuous Westerners??
Come on.., We as African need our mentalities elevated to bring such suffocating debates to and end.
Jack; Never walk under a ladder; It’s bad luck. lol>>> ah it’s good to talk…..smoke and joke.
Mike, look at what just happened to me; ‘fermented’ becomes ‘Europe’! Hah! Jujus??You know I’m at work…..,so I must wear a helmet cause can’t just evit walking under the ladder.
I will have my time to pray a lot to God tonight. Good over evil.
To write; “…………so its citizens can start coming to Europe as tourists …………”
“Ju Ju” would be a good name for a ladies fashion house….All prospective models apply within. Must be 6 foot, size 6 with knobbly knees.
The Englishman/Europeans uses “JuJu” also, they refer to them as Fortune Tellers, Palm readers and Wizards, the royal family’s will have their own personal wizard to set favorable dates for important events (weddings, conceiving a child, etc etc) and other mystical/juju things a-line with astronomy(the moon and stars), political parties also uses this same method to set dates for elections, going to war, political events etc etc! Lol. So don’t believe this mind set is only in Africa.
Good Point GR; I remember when a certain England soccer team manager used a “Gypsy lady ” to ask for good fortune and if the stars were aligned in his favour.
He was unceremoniously sacked and humiliated.
Obviously the stars didn’t predict his gross misfortune about to happen.LOL
Its all a load of bunkum.