Are there witches in this world?

Due to illiteracy and superstition, many women are blamed for being witches in the country. Photo: The Kathmandu Post (right) and Nepalkhabar.com (right) 

 

Are there witches in this world?

By Chhabi Subedi

This world is full of grievances, sorrows, and conflicts. Trouble awaits at every single step to test the tolerance of humankind. It seems that there is no end of miseries. Nevertheless, to end such miseries and develop the nation, more efforts are required. Without such efforts, no development can ever be conceivable. 

When we discuss sorrow, joy, happiness, problems, and even development, the presence of a woman is always there. A woman does play several roles so that a society functions smoothly. However, it is extremely unpleasant to see the women of our society sidelined, beaten, and humiliated. 

Over the years, Nepal has made tremendous progress in the fields of education, communication, and transportation. Still, the mindsets of many people are backward. No doubt, women are at the receiving end, and they are meted out all kinds of tortures and sufferings. One of the most torturous accusations leveled against them is being a witch and practicing exorcism. 

Witches are mentioned everywhere. Everyone talks about the existence of them, and many people are afraid of those witches. However, modern science has remained a mute spectator and never tried to comprehend the existence of spirits and witches. 

Nepal is made of villages where the majority of the people live in those villages, and they are living below the poverty line. On the one hand, they don’t have any access to hospitals around their villages; on the other hand, they cannot afford expensive bills for medicine and doctor’s fees. In a situation like this, they are compelled to visit local shamans to get rid of their ailments. In villages, people even talk about male witches. But how far this is true, no one knows. In such a circumstance, the entire fabric of society has become entangled in a very complex manner. 

Shamans play a central role, as they are the only hope of the downtrodden people of the villages. Shamans ask them for little offerings, and they are satisfied. These poor people have no choice but to visit local shamans for all kinds of physical and psychological problems. “Boksi dankiniko doholo bhayo chhumantar bacha” is the secret mantra most shamans use. These secret mantras work only when activated by performing a litany of rituals. 

It is my personal conviction that if there really is the existence of Boksi (witches), I am ready to offer handsome salaries and allowances for them. I will provide them a handsome salary and offices, and I will bear all the expenditure whatsoever. All this and that I will do for the sake of my interest, and my interest lies in the line of my country’s prosperity. 

I will give all the benefits to witches to serve my purpose. Of course, my financial benefit will not be free at all. These boksis must help me to meet my interest. First of all, with the help of those boksis, I will kick out all corrupt, high-ranking officials who do not execute their duties honestly. I will appoint honest and hardworking officials in their respective positions instead. Well, to achieve my purpose, it is utmost necessity to remove all those bad ones and replace them with the good one. If anyone dares to challenge my authority, I will use my boksi brigade to pacify them. With the help of my boksi brigade, I can act with power and authority. I would even appoint a boksi as my country’s ambassador to foreign countries. I would just build a large white mansion and rule the world from that castle. 

My boksi brigade will help me all the time. Foreign leaders would come to me and ask for my help. I would resolve most intense problems of the world. I would stop all kinds of war as immediately as possible. Consequently, no country would purchase lethal weapons from America. The US war economy would collapse, and I would emerge as an international leader. Well, if any leader tries to go against me, I would immediately make them sick with the help of my boksi brigade. Can any national or international leaders go against my decision? Of course not. 

At home in Nepal, I would ask the young generation to stay in the country. This way their hard labor would help to build Nepal into a strong country in the future. My country’s economy would be better. I would help export more and reduce import. This would improve the economic status of the country. I would reinstall all border pillars at their own places. Supported by my boksi brigade, I would work nonstop. Can anyone look straight into my eyes? 

Well, if you agree with me that such things can be done with the help of Boksi, you are most welcome to join me now. I would welcome you with both of my hands. 

If such things are not possible, then stop believing in exorcism. There are many victims of Boksi in my country. They were beaten, punished, and sometimes beaten to death. Frequent reports have surfaced when boksis are forced to eat human excreta. 

I request you to help illiterate people nearby you and educate them. Let’s work together to spread the light of knowledge that there is no such thing as exorcism or boksi (witch). This is only a projection of those people who are mentally sick.

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