Witchcraft Research Paper

INTRODUCTION Princeton University online dictionary explains magic as “…any art that invokes supernatural powers”, or it can be explained as practice which aims at controlling and summoning natural creations by use of charms or rituals, it is usually done with intention of disrupting natural course of events in order to produce desired outcomes.

It was common notion that men or women acquire these magical powers through learning special techniques and rituals especially in reformation era. Hence during fifteenth to seventeenth century magic was considered as learned activity. Magic is a one large umbrella where witchcraft comes under it. Meaning of word witchcraft is not specific but varies culturally. Other names for witchcraft

Witchcraft is considered as a symbol of evil over all regions of the world. It includes agricultural to industrialized societies. But this was not the story from beginning. Witches were part of society since first band of humans gathered. At that time these powers were used to ensure successful hunting. Western belief about witches grew out of folklores of Greeks and Romans. (a short history of witchcraft, 2009). Talking about Europe, witches and witchcraft have been existing in Europe from early middle ages. At that time witches was felt to be somebody who had innate powers that could be mobilized for good or evil and these powers are inherited from mother to her daughter. But from 15th century a new model emerged in which Christian theologians argued that witches are not isolated magical practitioners but members of satanic sect, and their powers came to them as a result of pact they made with god (A.Sharpe, 2004). This belief strengthened after Pope Innocent VIII issued a declaration in the 1498 which made it confirm that existence of witches in society is harmful and authorize killing of witches. It started after 1200 under orders of church yet massive level witch hunting recorder between 1500-1600. People

In spite of people’s believe government of India have passes Witch Prohibition Act in 1999. Under this act witches who are suspected will face severe consequences. Soraj ajay skria explored cases of women who were tortured and murdered under acquisition of being a witch in British India. In 2013, Al Jazeera documentary explained lives of those who were accused i.e. how they were enforced to leave area and move far away from community, a land where there are scarce resources. People use these allegations as political purpose i.e. property disputes and disease.

In Rajhistan ; area that share borders with Pakistan; government have enacted Rajasthan Women (Prevention and Protection from Atrocities) Bill, under this bill it is illegal o perform any witchcraft that leads to harm people and guilty person will face 3 years in jail. According to The New York Times, “The mixing of old superstitions with modern material desires has proved deadly for these women, as many brandings are now done to disinherit them from family property” (Sharma, 2012)

ROLE OF WITCHCRAFT IN SOCIAL