Witchcraft and Plural Reality:

A Case of a Witch in L. Village, Capiz, Panay in the Philippines

Abstract

  The biggest contribution of preceding anthropological studies on witchcraft was the revelation of “reality” of witchcraft in various places of the world. However, since the form of witchcraft was the main focus of preceding studies, the aspect of people practicing a form of witchcraft in everyday life has not been studied much. As a result, it has always been understood from a one-sided view that the person accused of being a witch is always excluded within the community.

  In this paper, I intend to reveal the existence of “plural reality” which cannot be revealed by mere study of accusation and exclusion of a witch. The paper focuses on the case of a person living within a community who is accused of being a witch. I have observed an old man who is said to be an “aswang”, a witch in the Philippines, in the contexts of L. village, Capiz, Panay.

  Hans, who is said to be an aswang in L. village, is an aged and handicapped person. He is living in a very difficult situation, which is closely related to the accusation of him as an aswang. Although it seems to confirm the exclusion hypothesis of witch, it was also revealed from the observation and interview of his family and friends that they are continually supporting Hans---it is inclusion, the opposite function from the exclusion of witch.

  A witch to someone is not necessarily a witch to others. Who could be a witch is always relative and decided according to the standpoint of each person. This shows how “plural realities” are social constructs imbedded in the application of knowledge and practice of witchcraft. Thus, the conclusion of this paper is that it is necessary to study the underlying social relationships deeply rooted in socio-economics without applying the abstract concept of “witchcraft”, to reveal the “plural reality” surrounding witchcraft.