The role of witches in society relates directly to the role of women in society. And during times of social upheaval and changes, witches represent access to women’s power.
Articles on Witchcraft
Displaying 41 - 59 of 59 articles
From village healers to global brands, witches have long cast their spells over commercial transactions.
The idea of organized satanic witchcraft was invented in 15th-century Europe by church and state authorities, who at first had a hard time convincing regular folks it was real.
Powerful men often proclaim baseless accusations to be a ‘witch hunt.’ But American witch trials have always targeted a persecuted minority: women.
In medieval England using magic was a bit like drug use today: against the law and seen as immoral, but still widespread across society.
Yet again sexism rears its ugly head in this portrayal, from Arthurian legend, of a much maligned woman.
An antiquated Canadian law against magic and witchcraft is about to be repealed. A close look at its history reveals that it is far less superstitious than it appears.
The new Sabrina joins a host of other witches in pop culture, a witch revival that reflects more radical feminist politics.
The history of why witchcraft was seen as a woman’s work.
It is estimated that thousands of people are killed in witchcraft-related violence around the world each year. How can we tackle this problem today?
Most anthropologists believe that witch labelling has evolved to get people to conform. But new research suggests an alternative explanation.
Nigeria is on the verge of passing a law to criminalise rampant mob lynching. Other countries have tried to do this and failed.
An upcoming UN meeting on witchcraft and human rights in Geneva is set to focus on the rising attacks on Albinos and the trade of body parts in sub-Saharan African.
Independent, powerful feminist role models or a warning to women not to overstep the mark? Witches have been many things over the years.
A ‘witch hunt’ is what Trump called investigations into his campaign and Russian interference in the 2016 election. An anthropologist explains the connection between witch hunts and social control.
What does it mean to be a witch today? And what is a ‘binding spell’ trying to achieve?
What do the concepts like ‘cheating’ and ‘performance enhancing’ mean to young African footballers?
It is particularly dangerous to be an elderly person in Tanzania’s rural areas and villages. Legislation exists to protect this group, but it’s not being translated into reality.
In many parts of Nigeria, children are branded as witches and suffer abuse and even abandonment. Religion and poverty are thought to play a role.
Top contributors
-
PhD Candidate, Languages and Literature, Aberystwyth University
-
Reader in Early Modern History, History, Archaeology and Religion, Cardiff University
-
Postdo, University of Exeter
-
Professor of English, UMass Lowell
-
Professor of French and Critical Disability Studies, Lancaster University
-
Honorary Research Fellow, The University of Queensland
-
Honorary Professor of Classics and Ancient History, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland
-
Professor of History, Iowa State University
-
Associate Professor of History, University of Saskatchewan
-
Lecturer in Criminology, Edith Cowan University
-
Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician and Public Health Scientist, MidMichigan Health, University of Michigan
-
Postdoctoral fellow, University of Groningen
-
Professor of Anthropology, UCL
-
UQ Research Fellow, The University of Queensland
-
Scientific Co-Director and Associate Professor, University of Waterloo