Witchcraft and Witchcraft Cleansing among the Vasava Bhils

This article concerns the social mechanism of witchcraft among the Vasava Bhils of South Gujarat, in the western part of India. Witches are frequently mentioned in Vasava oral literature. The practice of witchcraft continues even in modern times, but to a limited degree. In Vasava society, where no institutional controls by means of law and order for resolving conflicts exist, witchcraft acts as a means of social control. The article places witchcraft as well as anti-witchcraft practices in the corresponding social setting. A detailed description of specific magical practices has also been provided. [India, Vasava Bhils, witchcraft, mythology, final rites, evil eye, social control]