Witch-hunts in Nepal

Witch-hunts are still occurring in Nepal in the twenty-first century, and the persecution of marginalised individuals of the community, especially women, still persists. Witchcraft is believed to be the exercise of supernatural powers by witches (Nepali: बोक्सी, romanized: Boksi). Although Nepal does not have a recorded history of systematic witch-hunts, belief in the supernatural, magic, and humans capable of exploiting both to do good or harm is pervasive.[1][2] In many instances, witch-hunts are simply tribal scapegoating measures carried out to serve ulterior motives, such as getting revenge or winning property disputes.[3]

The victims are usually poor elderly women, free-spirited young women, widows,[3][4] women of lower castes, or any possible combination of the above.[5][6] The perpetrators are usually neighbours or residents of the same village, and occasionally family or close relatives, usually armed with accusations from shamans or witch-doctors (tantrics). Politicians, teachers, police officers, army officers and other respected members of the community have also been implicated in various incidents.[2][7]

Execution may be carried out by burning alive.[8] Many victims succumb to their injuries from torture and assault.[5][6] Non-murderous witch-hunts usually include beating and feeding of excrement,[6] as it is believed that witches must follow a strict dietary regimen of purity to retain their magical powers.

  1. ^ Crawford, Mary (2010) [2009]. Sex Trafficking in South Asia: Telling Maya's Story. Routledge research on gender in Asia series. Routledge. ISBN 978-0203862810. Retrieved 10 July 2019 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b Pandey, Binita (2013). "Demonological theory of crime: A study of witch accusation in Nepal". In Jaishankar, K.; Ronel, N. (eds.). Proceedings of the Second International Conference of the South Asian Society of Criminology and Victimology (SASCV). Tirunelveli, India: SASCV & Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. pp. 280–283. ISBN 9788190668750. Retrieved 10 July 2019 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b Fernandez, Diana; Thapa, Kirti (8 August 2012). "Legislating Against Witchcraft Accusations in Nepal". The Asia Foundation. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference wn was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference la was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c Rana, Purna Kumar (28 March 2018). "Which is witch". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Woman, 73, tortured over witchcraft allegation".
  8. ^ Shrestha, Manesh (18 February 2012). "Nepalese woman accused of witchcraft and burned alive". CNN. Retrieved 7 July 2019.