"We can define witchcraft as a series of beliefs that were put together by intellectual means," he said. According to Conti, historical interpretations of witchcraft depend on certain scholars.

These, she added, are also central to witchcraft. Apart from handfasting ceremonies, in which the bride and groom’s hands are bound with a cord to symbolize the union of their souls physically ...

Beliefs in witchcraft were commonly held across the world and the British colonies in particular during that time, leading to the notable Salem Witch Trials, which resulted in the deaths of 25 people.

Instead I meet pastor Israel Ubi. He claims no-one at the church makes such accusations, or conducts deliverance ceremonies to exorcise alleged witches. “There is no witchcraft here,” he says.

A Pew Research Center study estimated that nearly 1.5 million Americans adhere to new-age spiritual philosophies, including witchcraft, Pagan or Wiccan beliefs. The study also found that beliefs ...