Anders Poulsen—Sámi Shaman Accused of Witchcraft, 1692. Issue 2 (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Willumsen, Liv Helene
• Is Part Of: Folklore. Volume 131:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Folklore -- Periodicals; Manners and customs -- Periodicals; 398
• DOI: 10.1080/0015587X.2019.1690243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0015-587X

Abstract

Abstract: This article deals with the trial of Anders Poulsen, an old Sámi shaman who was brought before the court in a witchcraft trial in Finnmark, Norway in 1692, at the very end of a century with severe witchcraft persecution in that area. Poulsen was accused of having owned and used a shaman's drum, and he was interrogated about the drum's symbols. Through a detailed analysis of the court records, it is argued that the context of a severe criminal trial might have influenced Poulsen's explanation. His full knowledge as an experienced shaman did not come to the fore in his confession.