The Amish community is known for its simple lifestyle and adherence to traditional practices. However, there is a lesser-known aspect of Amish culture that involves belief in witchcraft. While witchcraft may seem contrary to the Amish way of life, there is a long history of witchcraft in Amish communities. These Amish witches are known as "powwowers" or "brauchers." They are believed to possess supernatural powers and have the ability to heal and protect against evil spirits. The powwowers use a combination of prayers, herbal remedies, and folk rituals to carry out their magical practices.

Halloween Specials, Marathons and Premieres: FearFest, Amish Witches, ‘The Living and the Dead’ and More

Halloween is one of our favorite times of the year because cable networks go all out to gear their programming towards the spooky and scary, whether it’s the debut of new shows like Wolf Creek (above), the Australian miniseries that debuted on Pop TV on October 14 or marathons of Halloween classics. Here’s a guide to what you’ll find.

13 Nights of Halloween

Through Oct. 31, Freeform

The countdown to Halloween starts here! Headlining the family-friendly frightfest is the network-television premiere of R.L. Stine’s Monsterville: Cabinet of Souls and the Freeform premiere of Spooky Buddies. Also, catch Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Dark Shadows and more every night leading up to October 31.

FearFest 20

Through Oct. 31, AMC

Freddy, Jason, Damien and the rest of the monsters from Elm Street and beyond help celebrate two decades of horror as AMC’s annual bloodbath turns 20.

Dare to Pop

Through Oct. 31, Pop

The premiere of the anticipated Wolf Creek is at the center of Pop’s 250 hours of spine-tingling programming along with the brutal and controversial 2005 Australian film on which the six-part miniseries is based. And if that’s not enough gore for you, there’s the first five films in the Saw franchise.

Halloween Baking Championship

Mondays, 9/8c, Food Network

Other channels may be focusing on thrills and chills, but for Food Network, it’s all about the treats! In this competition, seven bakers face off to win $25,000. Judges Carla Hall, Damiano Carrara and Sandra Lee help select the wickedly delicious best.

Channel Zero: Candle Cove

Tuesdays, 9/8c, Syfy

During Syfy’s 31 Days of Halloween, Paul Schneider and Fiona Shaw star in this six-part series based on a viral horror story that swept the internet, about a man’s obsession with the deadly events surrounding an old children’s TV show.

Hellevator

Fridays, 9/8c, GSN

Teams of four friends take a haunted elevator to multiple floors for blood-curdling challenges inspired by the seven deadly sins, all in hopes of winning $50,000.

The Living and the Dead

Series Premiere, Thursday, Oct. 27, 9/8c, BBC America

A psychologist and his young wife return to the haunted English countryside where the engine of progress is rapidly unearthing all manner of spirits in this spooky six-part British miniseries.

Terror Classic Movies: Universal Horror

Friday, Oct. 28, 8/7c, TCM

Dracula (1931), The Mummy (1932) and The Wolf Man (1941) are just a few of the classic creature features that you’ll see in this marathon.

Amish Witches: The True Story of Holmes County

Premieres, Saturday, Oct. 29, 8/7c, Lifetime

A reality-TV crew documenting an isolated Amish sect witnesses the death of an alleged witch. But it’s not until after her funeral that the terror begins, as young women are plagued by a malevolent force from beyond the grave.

Paranormal Lockdown: The Black Monk House

Monday, Oct. 31, 9/8c, Destination America

Paranormal Lockdown’s Nick Groff and Katrina Weidman investigate the Yorkshire, England, home of the most violent poltergeist activity ever reported.

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Garden Spot : Lancaster County, the Old Order Amish, and the Selling of Rural America

Each year, millions of tourists are drawn to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to experience first-hand the quintessential pastoral--both as an escape from urban life and as a rare opportunity to become immersed in history. The area has attracted visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the distinctive religious community of the Old Order Amish, to appreciate the beauty of the farmland, to enjoy the abundant and delicious food of the Pennsylvania Dutch. and, most recently, to shop at the area's outlet malls. For nearly three hundred years, Lancaster county has been a model of agricultural prosperity, rooted in the family farm. The rural character of the place remains Lancaster's predominant tourist attraction, but is at odds with its rapidly rising population and the commercial and residential growth that has brought. It is the tension between rural tradition, progress, and urbanization that lies at the core of Garden Spot. David Walbert examines how twentieth century American culture has come to define and appreciate rurality, and how growth and economic expansion can co-exist with preservation of the traditional ways of life in the region. Will small farms fail in a culture that has increasingly come to value productivity over quality of life? What impact will further development have on maintaining this region's character? Can rurality and progress co-exist in the 21st century? A vivid portrayal of the land and people, residents and outsiders alike, Garden Spot narrates the history of this region and considers the challenges Lancaster County and its people face in order to preserve their unique place.

Encyclopedia of Anthropology , Том 1

The "Encyclopedia of Anthropology" is an award-winning five-volume set from SAGE Reference, winning Best Reference 2005 from the "Library Journal." '"The Encyclopedia of Anthropology" is a magnificent achievement. It's intelligent, it doesn't shrink from the tough issues, it's very user-friendly and beautifully produced. I really hope it will have a long life as a valued reference work. It certainly deserves to' - "The Open Society". The "Encyclopedia of Anthropology" is a unique collection of over 1200 entries that focuses on topics in physical anthropology, archaeology, cultural anthropology, linguistics and applied anthropology. Also included are relevant articles on geology, paleontology, biology, evolution, sociology, psychology, philosophy and theology. The contributions are authored by over 300 internationally renowned experts, professors and scholars from some of the most distinguished museums, universities and institutes in the world. This groundbreaking "Encyclopedia" is a must-have reference work for any library with collections in anthropology, as well as the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. It provides students, academics and a wide range of interested readers with a greater understanding of, and deeper appreciation for, those facts, concepts, methods, hypotheses and perspectives that make up modern anthropology and related disciplines. Key themes include: applied anthropology, archaeology, biological anthropology, biology, cultural anthropology, evolution geology, linguistics, paleontology, philosophy, physical anthropology, psychology, social anthropology, sociology theology, and theoretical frameworks.

The powwowers use a combination of prayers, herbal remedies, and folk rituals to carry out their magical practices. Often, their methods are secretive, with knowledge being passed down through generations. It is important to note that the Amish view witchcraft differently from mainstream society.

In the Amish context, witchcraft is not associated with evil or malevolence. Instead, it is seen as a tool for combating evil and promoting well-being. The powwowers are respected members of the community and are sought after for their healing and protective abilities. The origins of Amish witchcraft can be traced back to German folk traditions brought by the early European immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. These practices were integrated into the Amish way of life and continue to be passed down through generations. The powwowers often have a deep knowledge of herbal remedies and traditional healing practices, which they use to help their community members. While the belief in Amish witchcraft may seem contradictory to the Amish values of simplicity and humility, it is important to recognize that cultural practices can evolve and adapt over time. The powwowers serve a specific purpose within the Amish community, providing spiritual guidance and healing to those in need. In conclusion, the existence of Amish witches, or powwowers, is a fascinating aspect of Amish culture. Despite their seemingly contradictory nature, these witches play an integral role in the Amish community by providing healing and protection. Understanding and appreciating the diversity within Amish culture allows us to gain a deeper insight into the complexities of their way of life..

Reviews for "The Witch Trials of the Amish: A Forgotten Chapter in History"

1. Jane - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "The real Amish witches" as I'm a fan of both Amish culture and witchcraft. However, I found this book to be highly disappointing. The storyline lacked depth and failed to grab my attention. The characters felt one-dimensional and their actions often didn't make sense. The writing style was also quite mediocre, with repetitive phrases and awkward dialogue. Overall, I couldn't connect with the story or the characters, making it a forgettable and unsatisfying read.

2. Mark - 1 star - "The real Amish witches" was a complete waste of time. The premise had potential but the execution was terrible. The pace was slow and the plot lacked any real excitement or suspense. Additionally, the characters were extremely stereotypical and lacked any depth or development. The author seemed to rely on cliches and tired tropes instead of creating something original and engaging. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The real Amish witches" but I ended up feeling let down. The whole concept of combining Amish culture with witches sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The prose was clunky and the dialogue felt forced, making it difficult to get immersed in the story. The pacing was uneven, with moments of rushed action followed by long stretches of dullness. The characters lacked nuance and their motivations were often unclear. Overall, I was disappointed by the lack of depth and originality in this book.

The Surprising History of Amish Witches