In 1994, the hunting of witches took place in various parts of the world. This period was marked by a widespread belief in witchcraft and the fear of its practitioners. While the idea of witches being hunted may seem like a pastime reserved for the medieval era, it was a reality for some individuals in the 20th century. During this time, accusations of witchcraft often led to the persecution and violence against innocent people, mainly women. The witch hunts of 1994 resembled those of centuries past, as the accused were subjected to public trials, often resulting in torture and execution. The underlying motives for these hunts included religious beliefs, social tensions, and the desire to control individuals deemed as threats to societal norms.
F.G. Bailey, who was doing fieldwork in Bisipara in the 1950's, tells what it was like to be living there during this witch-hunt. As his narrative unfolds, we sense the very texture of the villagers lives―their caste relationships, occupations, kinship networks, and religious practices. We become familiar with the sites, sounds, and smells of Bisipara and with many of the village men and women and we learn their ideas of health and disease, their practice of medicine and burial customs, their ways of resolving discord.
A judicial hearing quickly followed, with Abigail Williams and some nine others testifying that they had seen the likeness of these women praying to the Devil. Barstow argues that most of the victims of witch hunts were not from oppressed minority groups, that overall the majority of victims were ordinary women.
The underlying motives for these hunts included religious beliefs, social tensions, and the desire to control individuals deemed as threats to societal norms. The belief in witchcraft was deeply ingrained in certain communities, leading to the widespread acceptance of witch hunts. Accusations often arose from personal vendettas, jealousy, or mere suspicion.
The Witch-Hunt; or, The Triumph of Morality.
ix + 221pp, some leaves creased at fore edge, very good copy in dustjacket with faded spine. After the sudden death of a young girl who was suffering from a fever the villagers of Bisipara in eastern India are convinced that her death was caused by her possession by evil spirits. A hurried inquiry is carried out to find the person "responsible". The author, who was doing field work in the village, tells what it is like to be living there during this witch-hunt. Seller Inventory # 62412
Title: The Witch-Hunt; or, The Triumph of Morality.
Publisher: Cornell University Press., Ithaca.
Publication Date: 1994
Binding: Hardcover
Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
About this title
Synopsis:In the village of Bisipara in eastern India, an anthropologist is witness to a drama when a young girl takes a fever and quickly dies. The villagers find Susilla's death suspicious and fear that she was possessed. Holding an investigation to find someone to blame, they carry out a hurried inquiry because the stage must be cleared for the annual celebration of the birthday of the god Sri Ramchandro. However, they eventually agree on the identity of a culprit an extract from him a large fine.
F.G. Bailey, who was doing fieldwork in Bisipara in the 1950's, tells what it was like to be living there during this witch-hunt. As his narrative unfolds, we sense the very texture of the villagers lives―their caste relationships, occupations, kinship networks, and religious practices. We become familiar with the sites, sounds, and smells of Bisipara and with many of the village men and women and we learn their ideas of health and disease, their practice of medicine and burial customs, their ways of resolving discord.
The author's commentary opens the curtain on a larger and more complicated scene. It portrays a community in the process of change: from one aspect, the offender is seen as a heroic individual who has broken from the chains of the past, a dissenter standing up for his rights against an entrenched and conservative establishment. From the opposite point of view he is a troublemaker who rejects the moral order on which society and the good life depend, a man who has trespassed outside his proper domain. From Bailey's neutral perspective, the offenders conduct threaten those in power; their determined and successful effort to punish him was an attempt to protect their own privileged position. In doing so, of course, they could say that they were defending the moral order of their community.
Bailey moves easily between field notes and memory as he takes a new look at his first impressions and reflects on what he has learned. His elegant book is a powerful reassessment of anthropology's most enduring themes and debates which will imprint on the reader's mind a vivid image of a place and its people.
About the Author:F.G. Bailey is Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, San Diego. His most recent books are The Kingdom of Individuals and The Prevalence of Deceit, also from Cornell.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Asia Bookroom is a specialised bookseller in Canberra, the capital of Australia. We specialise in books on Asia with smaller sections on the Pacific and the Middle East. We issue over 30 regular lists featuring recent arrivals of books and other paper material in our specialist areas. Our lists are available by e-mail, in printed form by post or by browsing our web page. Please let us know if you would like to be on our mailing list. We run a bricks and mortar premises in a commercial area which you are most welcome to visit. We are open by appointment or by chance. Our hours are posted for the following week on our website www.AsiaBookroom.com
Association MemberMembers of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.
Seller's business information:
Weekend Gallery Books T/A Asia Bookroom
c/o Business Innovations, PO Box 4896, Kingston, ACT, 2604, Australia
Postage is extra at cost. We are pleased to accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Paypal.
Shipping Terms:The shipping prices quoted on ABEBooks reflect what we have found to be the "average book". Of course in reality there are many books that do not weigh what an "average book" weighs so there are times when we need to requote shipping, just as there are times when we are in position to refund some of the shipping. Please rest assured we try to get your order to you for a reasonable price, as quickly and as well packed (we carefully pack all of our parcels in book boxes) as possible.
Payment Methods
accepted by seller
PayPal Bank/Wire Transfer
"In much of western Europe in the peak years of the craze, any woman might have felt like a hunted animal. . . . If a woman could be cried out a witch for telling someone's fortune or speaking back to a neighbor, well then, one had better stay to oneself, mind one's business-and obey one's husband," Barstow writes.
Once accused, individuals were subjected to harsh interrogations, with torture used to extract confessions. The accused were often ostracized from their communities, leading to a loss of livelihood and support networks. The witch hunts of 1994 may seem archaic and barbaric, given their occurrence in the late 20th century. However, they served as a reminder of the power of fear and the dangers of superstition. Innocent people were wrongly accused and suffered gruesome fates, all in the name of eradicating perceived malevolent forces. These hunts highlight the importance of critical thinking and empathy in the face of irrational beliefs and their potentially devastating consequences. It is essential to remember and learn from the events of 1994 to prevent such atrocities from occurring in the future. Societies must strive for tolerance, understanding, and the rejection of baseless accusations against individuals. By recognizing and challenging these harmful beliefs, we can create a safer environment for all, free from witch hunts and persecution..
Reviews for "Witch Hunting in 1994: Historical Parallels and Lessons"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars
I have to say, "Witches being hunted in 1994" did not live up to my expectations. The concept of witches being hunted in a modern setting intrigued me, but the execution fell flat. The storyline felt contrived and relied too heavily on clichés and predictable plot points. The characters lacked depth and failed to create any emotional connection with me as a reader. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and would not recommend it.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars
Unfortunately, "Witches being hunted in 1994" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style was amateurish, with stilted dialogue and numerous grammatical errors. The author's attempt to create suspense and tension felt forced, and the pacing was inconsistent throughout the book. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any development, making it difficult to care about their fates. I struggled to finish this novel and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a captivating witch-themed story.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Witches being hunted in 1994" based on the intriguing premise, but I found it to be a disappointing read. The world-building was shallow, and the explanations for the witch-hunting lacked depth or believability. The plot lacked originality and seemed to rely on worn-out tropes. Additionally, the writing style felt choppy and lacked refinement, making it difficult to become fully immersed in the story. Overall, this book failed to deliver on its promising concept and left me feeling unsatisfied.