India
In the Vedic Age, talented mystics were recognized and
called yogins (fem.: yoginī); wrongful magic was called
abhichāra. One of the four holy Vedas of the Hindus, the
Atharva Veda, itself contains semi-magical incantations,
chiefly against such sorcerers meaning harm to the Aryan
peoples. In modern Hindi, a witch is called chudail or
Daayan, and is greatly feared even today as a potential
harm by many of the illiterate villagers. There have been
quite number of cases where old women have been burned to
death by villagers on the notion of she being witch.
Pakistan
Many Pakistanis due to a heavy Islamic influence strongly
believe in the concept of Black Magic. Many cases of
witch-burning were reported in late 60s and early 70s. Some
women were also honour killed due to their alleged practice
of witchcraft.
In Pakistan, a woman seen with her feet pointed backwards
and without toes is considered to be a witch or a creature
of darkness. Though many have claimed to have encountered
such a creature, it is widely regarded as being mythical.
