Ukrainian Witchcraft Trials

Volhynia, Podolia, and Ruthenia, 17th-18th Centuries
Erscheinungsjahr 2023
ISBN: 978-963-386-706-8
Verlag: Amsterdam University Press

Buch, Englisch, 264 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 390 g

Drawing on quantitative data drawn from a range of trials Kateryna Dysa first describes the ideological background of the tribunals based on works written by priests and theologians that reflect attitudes toward the devil and witches. The main focus of her work, however, is the process leading to witchcraft accusations. From the stories of participants of the trials she shows what led people to enunciate first suspicions then accusations of witchcraft. Finally, she presents a microhistory from one Volhynian village, comparing attitudes toward two “female crimes” in the Ukrainian courts.

The study is based on archival research including witch trials transcripts. Dysa approaches the trials as indications of belief and practice, attempting to understand the actors involved rather than dismiss or condemn them. She takes care to situate early modern Ukrainian witchcraft and its accompanying trials in a broader European context, with comparisons to some African cases as well.

Zielgruppe

Academic

Autoren/Hrsg.

Dysa, Kateryna

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Mentalitäts- und Sozialgeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Weltgeschichte
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Gender Studies, Geschlechtersoziologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Acknowledgements, Introduction, Chapter 1. Constructing the Ukrainian Witchcraft Trial, Legal Foundations, The Queen of Evidence: The Use of Torture and the Figure of the Executioner, In the Realm of Gossip: The Role of Everyday Communication in the Legal Process, Actors of the Witchcraft Trials, Chapter 2. Ukrainian Orthodox Demonology: The Learned Elite and Perceptions of the Devil and Witches, Iconography of the Devil, Demons, and Witches, The Demonic in Ukrainian Orthodox Writings Specificities of Demonic Possession and Exorcism, The Pact with the Devil Demonization of Neighbors, Opponents, and Enemies, Chapter 3. Beyond the Trials, or the Anatomy of Witchcraft Accusations, Peaceful Coexistence Family and Witchcraft, Inheritance of Witchcraft within the Family Accusations within the Family, Family Support, Rivalry and Bewitchment Dangerous Proximity: Master-Servant Relationships, Bewitching a Master: Trials about the Bewitchment of Social Superiors Demonstration of Loyalty to a Master in Witchcraft Cases, Subtle Love Matters Witchcraft and Medicine: Power to Take away and Restore Health Bewitching Animals, Spoiling Harvests Magic Practitioners and Actual Magic Practices, Local Magic Practitioners Amateur Magic Practices Chapter 4. A Case of Witchcraft and Infanticide in Szczurowczyky, Infanticide in Szczurowczyky: Iewka Stanorycha, A Witchcraft practitioner: Orzyszka Liczmanicha, Night Flights and Coven Verdicts, Further Romanticization, Forgetting, and Resurrection of Ukrainian Witches: An Afterword, Bibliography Index

Über Autor(innen)

Dysa, Kateryna
Kateryna Dysa is an Associate Professor of History at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv.