ABSTRACT
The belief in malefic witchcraft, the ability of an individual to harm or injure people and animals by supernatural means, words, spells, and potions, is common to tribal and agrarian societies the world over. Living at the mercy of the environment, exploitative classes and the state, peasants in the preindustrial world had a wealth of beliefs and practices that explained their circumstances, provided them with safeguards against adversity, and enabled them to counteract the calamities that befell them. Blaming a neighbor, relative or stranger for causing a lingering illness, depriving a cow of her milk, or bringing about a drought, hail storm, or severe thunderstorm personalized misfortune, allowing the victims to combat their suffering by taking action against the perceived perpetrator. During times of mounting social tensions and shrinking resources, accusations of witchcraft and sorcery increased, often with community support. Once peasants had identified a witch or sorcerer, they tried to convince the individual to reverse the spell or, failing this, sometimes killed the alleged evildoer. 1
