Witchcraft (witches are beings who have been known to be healers and demons alike) is a concept which comprises of so many different phenomenon rolled into one concept that it is difficult to attempt to succinctly describe it in a few words, sentences or ideas. Across time and across cultures, what anthropologists call “magic and witchcraft” widely varies. Different ideas, different beliefs, different practices etc. which come under the heading of “magic and witchcraft” have been known to be so different form one another that it has been difficult to trace a common origin. At best, it has been posited that witchcraft has been a popular belief among societies since the data on human societies has been available. And popular beliefs, according to historians, have no sense of organization or discipline about them. These popular beliefs are found in every society and they can appear to be related to one another. Different researchers have had different explanations for the existence of these beliefs, particularly the beliefs regarding magic, religion and witchcraft.
RELIGION, MAGIC AND WITCHCRAFT
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Religion and culture are engaged in a feedback loop where it is difficult to separate one from the other. Religion is often defined as “a system of beliefs, attitudes and practices which relate to the supernatural”. In every human society, there happens to be an interaction between the natural and supernatural worlds. “Magic” is “a collection of practices designed to gain control over the supernatural”. Witchcraft comes under the heading of magic in general. But “magic” in this sense offers a wide range of practices pertaining to healing, fertility, agriculture, conflict-resolution etc i.e. coping that