Witchcraft

Definitions

Witchcraft is “a belief in the perpetration of harm by persons through mystical means” (Niehaus 2017). In anthropology, typically a witch is deemed to be practicing magic that is socially unacceptable and often does so without people knowing. Sometimes, the witch might not even know of her powers because witches are often believed to have a connection with the mystical world through a body part. On the other hand, there is also sorcery. This at first glance seems to be the same act, but sorcerers typically are seen as “someone who intentionally takes on the role of magical practitioner, often with the intent to harm,” so they are more public about their mystical connection (Moro 2017).

Why?

Many people, especially westerners, wonder why people would believe in the magic of witchcraft and sorcery. For people who see a cause and effect, they often don’t understand the mystical side of a situation that magic brings in. For practicing cultures though, it gives an explanation. Anthropologists mostly take the functionalist approach to understanding witchcraft because of this. Performing witchcraft and sorcery can be a way to respond to a psychological need. Essentially, if a bad thing happens to someone, practicing cultures find it better to credit witchcraft to the negative thing instead of putting it on the individual person themselves. In a way, it takes off personal responsibility for people that are having bad things happen to them.

Witchcraft does present pros and cons for a society. First, the con of having fear of being the victim of magic can build in people, but on the other side that can be a benefit. That is presented by one anthropologist who claims he, “observed that belief in witchcraft contributed positively to society by encouraging generosity, conformity to social values, and by leveling economic differences, as community members sought to avoid accusations of witchcraft” (Moro, P.A.). This follows the functionalist view where the magic presented by witchcraft and sorcery serves a function that helps keep the society stable, in this case, to make sure everyone is staying in harmony.

A negative side for society of witchcraft is the danger that it can put people in. Especially since witches try to stay hidden, they can have many acts of violence committed against them if they are suspected. They are typically outcasted from society, sometimes without even being a witch. This seems to counter the functionalist view, but the society would still see it as preservation and harmony because they are getting rid of someone who would overall threaten that harmony.

An example of the negative impacts it can have on people being accused of witchcraft are in the United States during the Salem Witch Trials where people were accused of practicing witchcraft and then executed if found guilty, even if they were innocent.

History of Witchcraft

The origin of witches can be contributed to the Bible. In book of one Samuel written in between 931-721 B.C the Witch of Endor was summoned by King Saul to help him defeat an army which results in his son's deaths and his own suicide. There are also early reports of witchcraft including people using magic to summon spirits or to heal.

Later in time witchcraft became feared and despised. Hysteria took place in Europe during the 1400's, resulting in witch hunts and executions of many single women and widows becoming common. During this time the book "Malleus Maleficarum' or 'The Hammer of Witches' was written by two Germans which was a guide on how to hunt suspected witches. Between 1500 and 1660 it is estimated that almost 80,000 accused witches were executed in Europe alone with the most occurring in Germany.

After Europe's witch hunting period was over, it struck in the New World, with the most famous witch trials occurring in Salem, Massachusetts. In 1692 a young girl was presumed to be suffering from witchcraft and three women were accused and eventually put to death. At the end of the Salem Witch Trials, up to 150 people were accused with 18 of them executed (with some being included as well). In addition, some other colonies were also caught up in witch hunting, including Connecticut where 46 people were accused with 11 of them executed and Virginia where 24 people were accused but none executed (History.com Editors).

Modern Day

Today, witchcraft is particularly concentrated in the African region, but also prevalent in many industrialized societies. There is some practice in the western world, but it is seen as much more taboo and more questioned as a belief. This is mostly due to the belief in Abrahamic religions that do not accept belief in witchcraft. The practices in western culture that objectively could look like witchcraft tend to be seen as people following Satanism instead which has an extremely negative connotation, more so than witchcraft (Moro P.A.).

Learn More--Witchcraft today

*Witchcraft rises among US Millenials: https://www.newsweek.com/witchcraft-wiccans-mysticism-astrology-witches-millennials-pagans-religion-1221019

*Interaction with South African Witch Doctor: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-22306869

*Is witchcraft relevant today? https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/198785

*South African women accused of witchcraft: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV0ubcWkC4k

*Witchcraft and child abuse: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/nov/14/witchcraft-and-black-magic-contribute-to-increase-in-child-abuse

*Witchcraft website: http://www.witchcraft.com.au/

Related

Related: Cultural Witchcraft Accusation and its Effects

Works Cited

Harvie, E. (2017, March 10). 15 Places Around The World That Still Practice Witchcraft. Retrieved from https://www.thetalko.com/15-places-in-the-world-where-witchcraft-is-still-practiced/.

History.com Editors. (2011, November 4). Salem Witch Trials. Retrieved from https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials.

History.com Editors. (2020, October 20). History of Witches. https://www.history.com/topics/folklore/history-of-witches

Lewis, I. M., & Russell, J. B. (2016, August 22). Witchcraft in Africa and the world. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/witchcraft/Witchcraft-in-Africa-and-the-world.

Moro, P. A. (2017). Witchcraft, Sorcery, and Magic. In The International Encyclopedia of Anthropology, H. Callan (Ed.). doi:10.1002/9781118924396.wbiea1915 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/9781118924396.wbiea1915

Niehaus, Isak. (2019). “Witchcraft.” Witchcraft - Anthropology - Oxford Bibliographies. Retrieved December 5, 2019 (https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780199766567/obo-9780199766567-0029.xml).