Based on the author’s fieldwork materials (2007–2021) as well as on sources from scientific literature, this article examines how wizards and witches are seen in today’s Udmurt village. It analyses the characters of these magic specialists within the framework of folk understanding. It explains their role, their activities and their status in the village community, it presents magical methods of combat and self-defence, as well as some trends of late years. The latest field materials show the present narratives about people who master magic strength and secret knowledge, updating the research. This new material highlights the innovative character of the research. The results allow us to say that alongside traditional understandings, there are relatively new cultural phenomena appearing at practically all the levels of the village perception of wizards and witches. The changes in the present world and the ‘fashion’ for magic knowledge give the village community a new focus on tradition. For example, people think that electricity cables, as well as mobile phone networks and satellite antennas, have started to disturb the flights of wizards and witches, and elements from other cultures have been added to magic apotropaic repertoire, etc. Thus, this article follows what is happening presently in Udmurt village communities with regard to the cultural mythical phenomena surrounding the worldview of magical specialists. The results of this research may be a useful basis for further research, and it will be important to observe the further evolution in the village reception of these phenomena.
Presence of Witchcraft in the Contemporary Udmurt Village