W.I.T.C.H. (the name is an acronym, standing for We Intend to Cause Havoc) are a pioneering Zambian psychedelic act and one of the defining groups of Zamrock — a fusion of Western rock and rhythm & blues with traditional African sounds. They became one of Zambia’s most popular and influential bands in the 1970s as psychedelic and hard rock spread across Africa.

Emerging after Zambia gained independence in 1964, the band drew inspiration from artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and James Brown, blending progressive rock, soul, and funk into a distinctly African sound. As political and economic instability grew in Zambia during the mid-1970s, W.I.T.C.H.’s music evolved into darker, more psychedelic territory influenced by acts like Deep Purple and Grand Funk Railroad.

Their 1972 debut album Introduction became the first commercially released album by a Zambian band. The group continued releasing music throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, with albums like Lazy Bones!!, Lukombo Vibes, Movin’ On, and Kuomboka, while building a massive following across the continent and performing stadium-sized shows.

Originally formed by vocalist Emanyeo “Jagari” Chanda alongside Chris Mbewe, John Muma, Gedeon Mulenga, and Boidi Sinkala, W.I.T.C.H. emerged from Zambia’s vibrant late-1960s cover-band scene. Jagari’s nickname came from his admiration for Mick Jagger, reflecting the strong Western rock influence that shaped the band’s identity.

After fading into dormancy in the mid-1980s, W.I.T.C.H. experienced a global rediscovery through crate diggers, reissue campaigns, and the 2011 We Intend to Cause Havoc! box set released by Now Again Records. The renewed interest led to the band reuniting and touring internationally once again.

In 2023, W.I.T.C.H. released Zango, their first album of new material in nearly 40 years, featuring collaborations with contemporary Zambian artists including Sampa the Great. In June 2025, they followed it with their second comeback album, Sogolo.