Among Mirpuris belief in magic, and its ability to visit ill on people, is rife. It is often used as an explanation for a range of problems, from mental health to marriage/ love problems. In my opinion, those who believe most strongly in magic often have undiagnosed emotional and/or mental problems.
There is also an ‘industry’ devoted to undoing the affects of magic. You can read the adverts placed in the minority press by people who offer such services. These include claims of stubborn lovers falling to your feet or being able to conceive (presumably those who wish you ill can, by their magic, prevent you from procreating). I am not sure what exactly ‘therapy’ to undo the affects of magic comprises, though I know amulets are often worn to cast away evil spirits.
It is easy to dismiss such beliefs as unscientific and irrational, which they undoubtedly are. However, when they form an important part of people’s interpretive baggage, it is not so easy to be dismissive. That is why many mental health practitioners try to understand and work with such beliefs.
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