“Magical” Practices in Daily Life of Nizhny Novgorod Peasants in Second Half of 18th — First Half of 19th Centuries

Abstract

The article deals with the religious culture of the peasants of the Nizhny Novgorod province in the XVIII—XIX centuries. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the materials of the investigations in cases of “divination”. Definitions of the concepts “magic deeds”, “folk Orthodoxy”, “folk religiosity” are given. The gender and age composition of those accused of divination is characterized. It is proved that both men and women were engaged in magical practices. Most of the defendants were over 34 years old. A classification of the “magic” deeds of the Nizhny Novgorod province is proposed. The subject of litigation was healing practices (quackery), the use of conspiracies to resolve vital situations (search for loss, a fair decision, etc.), obtaining predictions (fortunetellers and hysterical women), the use of objects and special spells for one's own benefit, as well as found cases related to social behavior — flight, desertion, attempts to get rid of the owner or the coming punishment. The conclusion is made about the prevalence of “magic” practices related to the health of a person or livestock. The author's reconstruction of the circumstances of life that led the accused to the investigation is presented.