Witches and Demons

Jean La Fontaine is a Research Fellow of Inform and Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics, where she taught for nearly twenty years. She received her PhD from the University of Cambridge and has chaired the Association of Social Anthropologists, and served as President of the Royal Anthropological Institute.

“The richness of ethnographic material and historical and anthropological theory makes Witches and Demons an interesting book not only for those who study the Satanism scare or the African diaspora, but for anyone who wants to know more about the background of accusations of Satanism and witchcraft, be it from their Western or African roots or a combination of both.” • Reading Religion“If you are interested in anthropology, this is a must read, as the general aim is understanding the other.” • Acta Comparanda“This is an extremely interesting set of chapters. Together they create a carefully drawn exercise in comparison as a major methodological tool of anthropology, and its advantages and problems. The book is very clearly written, well argued, and fascinating.” • Frances Pine, Department of Anthropology, Goldsmiths, University of London

• Introduction: Understanding the OtherChapter 1. Hidden Enemies: Evil at the end of the MillenniumChapter 2. Concepts of Evil, Witchcraft and the Sexual Abuse of Children in Modern EnglandChapter 3. Ritual Murder?Chapter 4. Magic and medicine: The Torso in the ThamesChapter 5. Child Witches in London: Tradition and change in religious beliefChapter 6. The morality of childhoodChapter 7. Pastors and witchesChapter 8. London’s witch childrenConclusion: Continuities and changes