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Witch-Hunts and Persecution

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

Dr Nicholas Herriman

In this course, we will use the anthropological approach and methodology to understand witch-hunts and persecution. We start by looking at magic, witchcraft and sorcery and explaining the persistence of related beliefs and practices. As we will see the basic idea of witch persecution is that we have an image of a witch (or sorcerer) and then we pin it on someone. We analyze this image in greater detail. Pinning this image on someone is a process of accusation; we analyze among whom, why and how accusations occur. Finally, we look at some “witch-hunts”—including the Great Witch-hunt, the Salem Trials, and McCarthyism—in greater detail.
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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - Anthropological Explanations of Magic

Anthropological Explanations of Magic

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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07/19/13 • 43 min

Now we have an idea of what we are talking about with “magic”, we need to understand how anthropologists account for its existence. In this lecture, I want to explain what anthropology can tell us about magic and particularly sorcery and witchcraft.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - Anthropological Approach and Methodology

Anthropological Approach and Methodology

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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07/19/13 • 27 min

In this unit, we use the anthropological perspective to analyze witch-hunts and persecution. What is unique about anthropologists is that they use data obtained from participant-observation fieldwork and analyze this data using principles of relativism, comparison and holism.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - Cannibal Mothers

Cannibal Mothers

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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08/28/13 • 9 min

In previous lectures, we have looked at how we can we analyze the image of the witch. Mair says the witch image represents the opposite of good. Needham says it is a synthesis of primary factors. As we will see in this lecture, Stephen, an anthropologist who has researched the Mekeo and the Balinese, says that the image of the witch is a fantasy the child has about the mother.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - Primordial Characters

Primordial Characters

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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08/21/13 • 14 min

One idea to explain the similarity of witch imagery between cultures is that the witch represents the opposite of good. As I show in this lecture, another idea is that the witch image is created through joining together some of the most basic elements of experience.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - Persecution and Witch-Hunts

Persecution and Witch-Hunts

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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07/19/13 • 14 min

The killing of witches and sorcerers is a pressing contemporary issue. Studying such killings will provide greater insight into persecution in general. In order to undertake this study, the concepts of anthropology can be very useful.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - Nightmare Witches

Nightmare Witches

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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08/19/13 • 19 min

In the previous four lectures, we considered witch-hunting in various contexts. Now we need to analyze what is going on in these cases. The basic idea is that “society creates the image of the witch, and pins this image down onto particular individuals” (Mayer 1982, p. 61). So what is this image and how can understand it? The image is the nightmare witch who “epitomizes all kinds of evils”. We consider this in relation to the Balinese nightmare witch—Rangda.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - Accusations: Gossip

Accusations: Gossip

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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09/13/13 • 22 min

In the previous three lectures, we have, for the purpose of analysis, distinguished the witch of our imagination. When someone is accused of being a witch, some of the qualities of the witch image are attributed. So how does the imagined quality (the image of the witch) become attached to a real person? In this lecture, we look at how someone is identified as a witch.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - Indonesian Witch-Hunts

Indonesian Witch-Hunts

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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08/13/13 • 54 min

This lecture provides an overview of witch-hunts I have studied in Indonesia.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - African Witch-Finding Movements

African Witch-Finding Movements

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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08/06/13 • 28 min

This lecture focuses particularly on witch-hunting in Africa. As we shall see, such witch-hunting has, on certain occasions taken the form of a cult based around a reincarnated saviour.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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Witch-Hunts and Persecution - Salem and McCarthyism

Salem and McCarthyism

Witch-Hunts and Persecution

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08/06/13 • 27 min

The lecture focuses on the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism. In doing this, I hope to provide a clearer sense of what we might call “persecution” and “witch-hunt”.

Copyright 2013 Nicholas Herriman / La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Witch-Hunts and Persecution have?

Witch-Hunts and Persecution currently has 16 episodes available.

What topics does Witch-Hunts and Persecution cover?

The podcast is about Magic, History, University, Witch, Courses, Podcasts, Education, Social Sciences, Science and Anthropology.

What is the most popular episode on Witch-Hunts and Persecution?

The episode title 'Witch-Hunts and Revitalization' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Witch-Hunts and Persecution?

The average episode length on Witch-Hunts and Persecution is 26 minutes.

How often are episodes of Witch-Hunts and Persecution released?

Episodes of Witch-Hunts and Persecution are typically released every 6 days, 7 hours.

When was the first episode of Witch-Hunts and Persecution?

The first episode of Witch-Hunts and Persecution was released on Jul 19, 2013.

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