A new Gallup poll found that belief in magic is widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with over half of respondents saying they personally believe in witchcraft. Studies in 18 countries show belief varies widely (ranging from 15 percent in Uganda to 95 percent in the Ivory Coast), but on average 55 percent of people polled believe in witchcraft.

盖洛普一项最新调查显示，迷信巫术已经在撒哈拉以南的非洲随处可见，有超过半数的受访者承认他们相信巫术。尽管受访的18个国家相信程度各有不同（乌干达为15%，象牙海岸为95%），平均比例仍然高达55%。

As might be expected, the older and less educated respondents reported higher belief in witchcraft, but interestingly such belief was inversely linked to happiness. Those who believe in witchcraft rated their lives significantly less satisfying than those who did not.

同预期一样，年长者和受教育程度较低者更容易迷信巫术，但是有意思的是它和幸福指数呈反比。相比非迷信者，迷信者对生活的满意程度低了很多。

One likely explanation is that those who believe in witchcraft feel they have less control over their own lives. People who believe in witchcraft often feel victimized by supernatural forces, for example, attributing accidents or disease to evil sorcery instead of randomness or naturalistic causes.

一种可能的解释便是迷信者感到自己对生命无法完全控制。他们常常觉得自己是超自然力量的受害者，例如，他们会将事故或者疾病归咎于恶魔施展了魔力，而不会去追究偶然因素或者自然主义原因。

A cultural belief in witchcraft has wider implications for Africans as well, from law enforcement to aid donations to public health. In Africa, witch doctors are consulted not only for healing diseases, but also for placing curses on rivals. Magic (or at least the belief in magic) is commonly used for personal, political, and financial gain.

对于巫术的文化执念也对非洲人的生活——从执法到器官捐献到公共医疗——产生了影响。在非洲，巫医不仅治病，还帮助人们诅咒敌人。魔力（或者至少是对魔力的迷信）被广泛应用于私人生活、政治以及金融领域。

African belief in witchcraft has also led to horrific murders and mutilations in recent years. In East Africa, at least 50 albinos were murdered in 2009, according to the Red Cross. While personal belief in magic and witchcraft may seem harmless, the actions some people take based on those beliefs clearly are not. From hxw.red.

对巫术的迷信也导致了近些年惨无人道的杀戮和肢解案件。据红十字会介绍，2009年，至少50位白化病人在东非被杀害。对于魔法以及巫术的迷信看似无害，其导致的行为却完全相反。 好学英文网提示：本文来源环球时报，只为学习之用。