Witch-Hunting in India with Dr. Govind Kelkar

Anthropologist Dr. Nora Groce from University College London discusses the troubling connection between disability and witchcraft accusations. Dr. Groce shares her research on why people with disabilities are targeted, including her study on the experience of persons with albinism in East Africa. We explore how traditional beliefs create stigma, discuss the global disability rights movement, and examine community-based solutions to protect vulnerable populations. This conversation will inform you on lesser-understood human rights issues related to witchcraft accusations worldwide.Buy Book: Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on Martha's Vineyard Co-Authored by Nora GroceDisability & Inclusion Network AfricaProf. Nora Groce on World Disability DayCRIP CAMP TrailerCheck out our new podcastEnd Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit OrganizationSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund

In this scholarly episode of Witch Hunt Podcast, hosts Josh Hutchinson and Sarah Jack welcome historian Dr. Michael Ostling to examine one of witchcraft history's most persistent legends: the hallucinogenic flying ointment.Dr. Ostling carefully separates historical evidence from modern misconceptions, revealing how contemporary interpretations often reflect our own misogynistic projections rather than the experiences of those accused of witchcraft. Through thoughtful analysis, this episode respects the memory of innocent victims while providing listeners with a deeper understanding of how witchcraft myths evolve and persist across centuries.This conversation challenges popular assumptions and offers valuable historical context on this fascinating yet frequently misunderstood aspect of witch hunt history.Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of explicit sexual content related to historical witchcraft allegations.Michael Ostling's ResearchBuy: Fairies, Demons, and Nature Spirits 'Small Gods' at the Margins of Christendom, edited by Michael OstlingBuy: Emotions in the History of Witchcraft, co-edited by Michael OstlingBuy: Between the Devil and the Host Imagining Witchcraft in Early Modern Poland, by Michael OstlingCheck out our new podcast: The Thing About Salem on youtube!End Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit OrganizationSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund

In this powerful episode, Josh and Sarah welcome Peter Ogik, Executive Director of Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism in Uganda, who shares his personal story and advocacy work.About our guest: Peter Ogik was born and raised on an island in Lake Victoria, Uganda. As the first person with albinism in his community of about 600 people, Peter faced discrimination from birth but was fortunate to have supportive parents who advocated for him, especially in school settings where he initially struggled due to bullying and visual impairments associated with albinism.Key topics discussed:Personal experiences with discrimination: Peter shares how he was called "a thing" rather than a person, and how children were told not to sit near him because of harmful myths.Educational challenges: Teachers initially placed Peter at the back of the classroom despite his visual impairments until his father intervened, leading to improved academic performance.Dangerous misconceptions: Peter survived three kidnapping attempts by those seeking to harvest his body parts for witchcraft, based on the false belief that they bring wealth.Health challenges: Persons with albinism face high risks of skin cancer, with over 90% dying before age 30 without proper protection and care.Women and girls with albinism: They face additional challenges, including sexual violence based on the myth that intercourse with a woman with albinism can cure HIV/AIDS.Advocacy work: Through his organization, Peter works to:Educate communities and change harmful perceptionsProvide mobile skin clinics and sun protectionTrain teachers to better support students with albinismAdvocate for policy changes like tax exemptions on sunscreenSigns of progress: Peter notes how community attitudes are changing, with more persons with albinism now graduating as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals.International Albinism Awareness Day: This UN-recognized day (celebrated since 2015) has become a powerful platform for education and policy influence in Uganda.Resources mentioned:Source of the Nile Union of Persons with Albinism (SNUPA)Advantage Africa, a partner organization since 2013This episode highlights how education and advocacy can combat deadly superstitions and improve lives for marginalized groups. Peter's message is one of resilience and hope: "I can't wait to see the tomorrow whereby a person will not define me by my appearance, but will define me by my abilities."Source of the Nile Union of Persons with AlbinismAdvantage AfricaInternational Albinism Awareness Day Facebook PageEnd Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit OrganizationSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund

Discover the once-overlooked story of Elizabeth Johnson Jr., the Salem witch trial victim finally exonerated after 330 years. At just 22, this young Andover woman was pressured into falsely confessing to witchcraft in 1692. She narrowly escaped execution when Governor Phips ended the Salem witch trials. However, she was unjustly left out of the 1711 mass exoneration that cleared many others' names. Our guest, podcast regular Mary Bingham, reveals Elizabeth's remarkable life through court records and family histories, including reading us the powerful petition for clemency submitted by Elizabeth at age 42. Learn why this case, with a personal connection to our host Joshua Hutchinson, resonates with justice movements today and how Elizabeth's name was finally cleared in 2022. Mary Louise Bingham on Youtube: Sarah Wildes 1692Online Event Presenting Mary Louise Bingham on Dorothy Faulkner and the Forging of Two Families April 26, 2025 Live from the Rebecca Nurse Homestead  End Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit OrganizationSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund

En el episodio de esta semana del podcast Witch Hunt, Josh y Sarah traducen al inglés cuando el invitado habla en español. Disfruten de esta nueva experiencia como nosotros. Damos la bienvenida a la fotógrafa documental y cineasta española Judith Prat. Con formación en derecho de los derechos humanos, Judith examina con contundencia la persecución de las mujeres acusadas de brujería en los Pirineos durante la Edad Moderna.Judith habla de su documental "Decian Que Era Bruja", que rinde homenaje a las mujeres inocentes víctimas de la caza de brujas en España. También comparte reflexiones sobre su exposición fotográfica "Brujas" y el fotolibro que la acompaña, con 67 impactantes imágenes que documentan los paisajes de los Pirineos y las mujeres que los habitan hoy.A través de su obra, Judith desafía la imagen estereotipada de las "brujas" como viejas brujas, revelando la verdad sobre las mujeres comunes que fueron perseguidas injustamente. Acompáñenos en esta fascinante conversación sobre la memoria, la justicia y la recuperación de narrativas históricas a través del arte.Judithprat.comArticle:Dénia reflects on femicide with the documentary 'They said she was a witch' by Judith Prat Purchase Judith Prat's Photo Book: Brujas Listen to episode: Secrets of the Basque Witch Hunt with Jan MachielsenEnd Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit OrganizationSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund

In this week's episode of Witch Hunt podcast, Josh and Sarah translate to English when the guest speaks in Spanish. Please enjoy this new experience like we have.. We welcome Spanish documentary photographer and filmmaker Judith Prat. With a background in human rights law, Judith powerfully examines the persecution of women accused of witchcraft in the Pyrenees during the early modern period.Judith discusses her documentary film "Decían Que Era Bruja" (They Said She Was a Witch), which pays tribute to the innocent women targeted during the witch hunts in Spain. She also shares insights about her photography exhibition "Brujas" and accompanying photobook featuring 67 striking images that document the landscapes of the Pyrenees and the women who inhabit them today.Through her work, Judith challenges the stereotypical portrayal of "witches" as old hags, revealing instead the truth about ordinary women who were unjustly persecuted. Join us for this fascinating conversation about memory, justice, and reclaiming historical narratives through art. Judithprat.comArticle:Dénia reflects on femicide with the documentary 'They said she was a witch' by Judith Prat Purchase Judith Prat's Photo Book: Brujas Listen to episode:Secrets of the Basque Witch Hunt with Jan MachielsenEnd Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit OrganizationSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference Fund

In this powerful episode, we explore the discrimination faced by persons with albinism across Africa through conversations with two remarkable advocates from the Sierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism (SLAPWA).Join us as we welcome back Jay Kamara, a familiar voice to our listeners, alongside Daniella Garrick, a model, youth leader, and advocate who is representing Sierra Leone in the upcoming Miss Albinism Africa pageant in June 2025.Our guests share how marginalized communities can transform visibility from a source of vulnerability into a platform for challenging misconceptions. Through initiatives like the Miss Albinism Africa pageant, they demonstrate how advocacy can operate effectively for communities that have faced persistent discrimination.This episode offers valuable insights into:The specific support needed by persons with albinism in Sierra LeoneHow pageantry becomes an unexpected vehicle for profound human rights advocacyWays you can participate in these important advocacy effortsHow to support: The Sierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism is seeking support for Daniella's travel, accommodation, and competition expenses for the Miss Albinism Africa pageant. Learn more at albinismsierraleone.org or visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/slapwa17.Witch Hunt is dedicated to helping you learn about others' experiences and providing meaningful opportunities to take action. Join us for this transformative conversation.email: [email protected] Leone Association of Persons with AlbinismSierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism Facebook PageEnd Witch Hunts U. S. Nonprofit OrganizationPro VictimisMedical Assistance Sierra LeoneSign up for our Newsletter

In this compelling episode, we welcome back returning guest  Dr. Govind Kelkar.  Building on her previous insights about women's experiences in India, Dr. Kelkar shares her recent groundbreaking research across eight northeastern Indian states, examining the complex interplay between traditional beliefs and modern pressures.Dr. Kelkar's fieldwork reveals how patriarchal systems have intensified within these communities, fueling the devaluation of women and perpetuating the dangerous practice of witch branding. Her research uncovers unexpected connections between economic development initiatives, efforts at cultural preservation, and gender-based violence.Listeners will gain deep insights into how evolved capitalist economic structures have transformed traditional gender dynamics in these regions, creating new vulnerabilities for women. We discuss the formidable challenges facing activists working to create safer spaces, and explore how feminist movements can effectively address witchcraft accusations while honoring indigenous rights and cultural autonomy.This episode offers a straightforward  look at the intersection of gender, power, and belief systems, essential listening for anyone seeking to understand the persistence of witch hunts in our modern world.Research Documents and Books by Govind KelkarContribute to End Witch HuntsSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference FundThe International Alliance to End Witch Hunts

A cornerstone message of our Witch Hunt podcast and End Witch Hunts nonprofit centers on community-based advocacy paired with holistic intervention programs. Experts are illustrating that sustainable change requires coordinated efforts that empower local communities while addressing the complex root causes that perpetuate these harmful practices across the Americas.This final episode in our Podcasthon series examines unique manifestations of witch hunts throughout North, Central, and South America - from colonial Salem to contemporary accusations in rural communities. We explore how historical contexts and cultural dynamics have shaped these phenomena differently across the hemisphere, while identifying common patterns and effective intervention strategies.We encourage our listeners to catch the full series to gain comprehensive understanding of this global issue. By connecting the dots between episodes, you'll discover how lessons learned in one region can inform approaches elsewhere, creating a powerful framework for lasting change."Key Topics CoveredJosh and Sarah's personal connections to the Salem Witch Trials and other New England witch trialsThe first documented witchcraft accusations in America (1626)Timeline of witch trials in Connecticut and Massachusetts before SalemThe "perfect storm" of conditions that led to the Salem Witch HuntOverview of the Salem Witch Trials (156 accused, 30 convicted, 19 hanged, 1 pressed to death)Post-Salem witch trials in Hartford, Vermont, and VirginiaRecent witch hunt violence in Haiti (December 2024)Witch Hunt podcastContribute to End Witch HuntsSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference FundPodcasthon 2025 Witch Hunt Episode PlaylistGoody Glover of Boston EpisodeThe Salem Witch Trials EpisodesMassachusetts Witch Trials EpisodesConnecticut Witch Trials EpisodesPodcasthon.orgBoris Gershman Witch Hunt Podcast EpisodeWitchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory AnalysisBorisGershman.comThe International NetworkThe International Alliance to End Witch Hunts

Our Ending Witch Hunts Podcasthon series now turns to Europe, home to history's most notorious stories on witch trials. Hosts Sarah and Josh talk about witch persecutions across England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, and Portugal, while touching on a surprising truth: these aren't just historical events.The episode connects Europe's witch trial past with present-day manifestations, including physically harming exorcisms, spiritual abuse and ritual abuse cases in the UK and US. With research showing the prevalence of belief in harmful witchcraft, we demonstrate how witch hunt dynamics continue to target vulnerable populations in Western societies.Join us as we uncover another chapter in the witch hunt story - the uncomfortable reality that these persecutions didn't end with history—they merely transformed. By understanding Europe's legacy and its continuing narrative, we gain crucial insights into addressing these harmful phenomena today.Podcasthon 2025 Witch Hunt Episode PlaylistEuropean Witch Hunt Podcast Episodes!Witch Hunt podcastContribute to End Witch HuntsSign up for our NewsletterDonate to Witch Hunt Podcast Conference FundPodcasthon.orgBoris Gershman Witch Hunt Podcast EpisodeWitchcraft Beliefs Around the World: An Exploratory AnalysisBorisGershman.comThe International NetworkThe International Alliance to End Witch HuntsAdvocacy for Alleged Witches, Nigeria