The gospel according to Peter, Chapter I

During our recent excursion with Polytechnic students, we had several campfires. Several stories were shared, including some stories from our excitable bus driver, Peter. He is from northern portion of Namibia where cultures have a history of beliefs in spirits, use of witch doctors, and are fairly superstitious. The students refer to this area, laughingly, as "Kuvukiland." If someone expresses a superstition, another student might respond, "Well, yes, you are from Kuvukiland." Upon googling this term, I see it was used in the Mr. Bones movies (South African productions).

I should note that although many people in this region have become Christian, their beliefs are now a mix of theologies. My observation is that when push comes to shove, the majority tend to fall back to their traditional beliefs to make sense of life's happenings.

So, Peter started by sharing how people from northern Namibia do not steal (which is generally true). The reason relates not to their general good will towards their neighbor, but because of an intense belief that stealing will cause bad things to happen.

Accept these three stories from Peter:

1. We do not steal. If you steal a goat, and the guy comes to
ask you if you have seen the goat, you should just tell him, "I took your
goat." Because if you lie to him, he can witch you and that night the goat
(which you have eaten) inside of you will start talking. And you will
start to talk like a goat. Baaaaa-aaaaa!

2. If you steal a goat and want to go home by going around the
mountain, you will instead always come back to where you started. You
cannot go home.

3. If you are sick and a witch doctor comes, he will ask you for
money. He will witch the money and tell you to throw it away. So, if
someone finds the money on the ground and takes it, they will also take your
sickness away. Because of this, everyone* knows not to take money they find
lying on the ground!

*which of course makes me wonder if this cure ever works?! Maybe they depend on tourists to pick up the money?!