Witchcraft

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to witchcraft as discussed in anthropology, particularly the differences between various cultures and historical contexts.

Witchcraft

The practice of individuals who are believed to have an innate ability to do evil, often without the need for rituals.

Sorcery

A practice distinct from witchcraft, where rituals are performed to achieve specific magical ends.

Mangu

A substance believed by the Azande to reside within witches that allows them to cause harm.

Divination

A method used by the Azande to identify witches and gain insight into supernatural causes of misfortune.

Wicca

A modern pagan religion that redefines the term witch in a positive way, often involving nature worship.

The Witchcraze

A period, starting around 1450, characterized by mass hysteria and witch hunts in Europe.

Inquisition

An ecclesiastical tribunal established by the Catholic Church to combat heresy, actively seeking witches.

Euro-American witchcraft beliefs

Ideas about witchcraft influenced by Christian notions of evil, where witches are often viewed as having made a pact with the Devil.

Evil Eye

A belief in the ability of certain individuals to cause harm simply by looking at or praising someone.

Azande

A cultural group in Southern Sudan known for their detailed beliefs in witchcraft, specifically concerning the concept of mangu.

Witch hunts

Social phenomena where individuals are accused of witchcraft, often involving intense social tensions.

Satanism

A belief system that varies, where Satan can be viewed as a force of nature, distinct from traditional Christian concepts.

Neo-Paganism

Modern religious movements that often involve a revival of ancient pagan principles and deities, including views on witchcraft.

Witchcraft accusations

Typically arise from social conflicts, projecting interpersonal tensions onto perceived supernatural causes.

Witches in small-scale societies

Often viewed as solely evil, unlike sorcerers who may have the potential for good through the use of magic.

Social tensions

Underlying conflicts in society that can lead to witchcraft accusations, reflecting interpersonal issues.

Witchcraft and AIDS

In some contexts, the disease AIDS can lead to accusations of witchcraft as a means of framing unknown causes of suffering.