Witchcraft and Women a Socio Legal Study of the Tribal Communities of Ranchi India

Abstract

The practice of witchcraft has been a predominant cultural phenomenon in almost all newlinethe existent communities of the globe whose social structure incorporates reverence newlinetowards super-natural powers. As in other parts of the world, witchcraft is practiced in newlineIndia as well. The current investigation was convened in eight panchayats of Ranchi, newlineIndia for - exploring the perceptions concerning witchcraft and witch hunting among newlinetribals of Jharkhand; determining reasons for vulnerability of women in witchcraft newlinerelated accusations and violence; analyzing legal framework and existing policies for newlinecontending witchcraft vehemences, and proposing effective measures for countering newlinesuch practices. The study is conceptually anchored through theories of justified belief, newlinescapegoat, standpoint, vindication of woman rights, and routine activity. With newlinephenomenological approach forming the core of this study, data was amassed from 249 newlinestake holders using quasi-participant observation, schedule, case study and in-depth newlineinterviews. Findings reveal that witchcraft is entwined in everyday lives of tribals. newlineTypically, females are accused for convening the craft, and are branded as witch after newlineconfirmation by local witch-finders. Due to this, they are ostracized, manhandled, and newlineeven brutally hunted. Analytically placing, witchcraft accusations have evolved as tool newlinefor finding scapegoats for personal losses and failures. For combating this, legal newlineinstruments and policy interventions are in place, but owing to awareness, enforcement, newlineand operational concerns - they are not very effective. Alongside these, relentless faith newlinein misconceptions, village level enmity, shortage of health care facilities, absence of newlinerehabilitation policy, and non-accountability fixation of community leaders and witch- newlinefinders; were the other prominent factors contributing to sustained existence of faith in newlinewitches and their perceived craft. newline