TITLE:
Animal Bewitchment in a Nigerian City: An Anthrozoological Study of Human-Cat Relations in Lagos State
AUTHORS:
Nnaemeka E. Enemchukwu
KEYWORDS:
Cats, Nigerians, Animals, Animal Cruelty, Witchcraft
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.2,
February
9,
2024
ABSTRACT: This
paper examines the growing prevalence of inhumane human-cat relationships in
Nigeria. Despite Lagos State being one of the most educated urban areas in West Africa, persistent cultural
practices of cat cruelty exist within various communities. This study
investigates the complex socio-cultural, religious, and environmental
factors contributing to such attitudes. By utilizing primary sources like
participant observations, fieldwork, and interviews and secondary sources like
journal articles, books, conference proceedings, online news, and websites,
this research aims to unravel the various dynamics shaping these inhumane interactions. Ultimately, it seeks to shed light on
the anthrozoological culture surrounding human-cat relations among
Nigerians living in Lagos State. The paper will adopt a qualitative
methodological approach to achieve this objective, employing a phenomenological
perspective to analyze and discuss its findings.