Ukrainian Witchcraft Trials: Volhynia, Podolia, and Ruthenia, 17th-18th Centuries

Kateryna Dysa's research examines the ideological background of witchcraft trials in early modern Ukraine, focusing on the process leading to accusations and comparing attitudes toward two "female crimes" in a Volhynian village. The study is based on archival research and approaches the trials as indications of belief and practice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 266 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Central European University Press

Drawing on extensive quantitative data derived from a diverse array of trials, Kateryna Dysa provides a comprehensive exploration of the ideological underpinnings of the tribunals. In her analysis, she delves into the writings of priests and theologians, which shed light on the prevailing attitudes toward the devil and witches. While her primary focus lies in the trajectory that led to witchcraft accusations, Dysa also delves into the personal accounts of those involved in the trials, unveiling the factors that triggered the initial suspicions and ultimately culminated in accusations of witchcraft. Furthermore, she presents a microhistory from a village in Volhynia, comparing the attitudes toward two "female crimes" in the Ukrainian courts.

This study is rooted in archival research, encompassing transcripts from witch trials. Dysa adopts a nuanced approach, seeking to understand the individuals involved rather than resorting to dismissive or condemnatory judgments. She contextualizes early modern Ukrainian witchcraft and its accompanying trials within a broader European framework, drawing comparisons to select African cases as well. By meticulously examining the evidence, Dysa sheds light on the complex interplay of beliefs, practices, and societal dynamics that shaped the trials and their impact on the lives of those accused and prosecuted.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789633867068