What is a witch? Historically, this question involved the European witch hunts of the early modern period. But today, witches have become increasingly prevalent in pop culture, even appearing on Instagram and Tumblr. This book argues that witchcraft is an empowering identity that can be created, traded, discarded, and destroyed to suit a variety of needs. Performing the Roma Witch explores the witchcraft tradition of one people-the Roma living in contemporary Romania-and demonstrates how the witch identity empowers Roma women to participate in modernity.
What is a witch? Historically, this question involved the European witch hunts of the early modern period. But today, witches have become increasingly prevalent in pop culture, even appearing on Instagram and Tumblr. This book argues that witchcraft is an empowering identity that can be created, traded, discarded, and destroyed to suit a variety of needs. Performing the Roma Witch explores the witchcraft tradition of one people-the Roma living in contemporary Romania-and demonstrates how the witch identity empowers Roma women to participate in modernity.
