The transmission of knowledge among Estonian Witch Doctors

Abstract

According to a recently developed legend, it so happened that seven of the most famous Estonian witches came together. They discussed various things, spoke about their experiences and finally started to argue who was the most powerful among them. They decided to find it out. A disciple was sent out to fetch anybody from the street. The disciple came back with a woman. According to the agreement, everybody was to try his or her best to say something about the woman. They all watched the woman, but nobody saw anything. They could hardly see the woman. Suddenly one of the witches shouted: "I know who is the most powerful among us! I saw him sending a white cloud between us and the woman!" This incident (in terms of folklore studies, a legend) is said to have happened a few years ago. There are several variants of the legend at the Estonian Folklore Archives. The reports about some of these seven witches are used in the present paper; however, I have mostly relied on materials recorded in the Vnnu parish and those registered in the files of magic formulas. I would like to emphasize that the article speaks about real people who act as healers or witch doctors.