Witchcraft: Recent Episodes
Cambridge University
Ujesing, the shaman (poju) in a Himalayan village, sits beside a little girl (Premkumari) who is suffering from fever and weakness. He analyses her condition and blows some spells over her. He later explains that she has been bewitched and certain rituals must be performed.
Filmed by Alan Macfarlane in the 1990's.
Three shaman (poju) in central Nepal conduct an elaborate, ten-hour, ritual called the 'Moshi Tiba'. An unlucky death has occurred and they chant and then summon down the dead person's spirit. In a final wild fit of drumming and in a state of possession they fight against the witches and other evil spirits which are trying to capture the dead person's spirit. The first shaman shown in this film is Yarjung Kromchain Tamu, a distinguished shaman from Yanjakot.
Filmed by Alan Macfarlane in the 1990's.
A villager in the central Himalayas has very bad toothache. She receives some western medicine from the local health worker, and also invites a local healer to try a magical cure for her teeth. Filmed by Alan Macfarlane in the 1990's.
Part of an Anglia Television film, broadcast in 1985, investigating the activities of the witch-finders Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne in East Anglia, England, in 1645. Put up by Alan Macfarlane.