Research source

On being charged with the offence of sorcery the Bouda tried to make light of it and denied the accusation, but…

Date of account: Published 1915
Source: Human Animals
Reference: Human Animals · selected passage 74
Rights: public_domain
Language: English
Record updated: 2026-08-24

Record summary

On being charged with the offence of sorcery the Bouda tried to make light of it and denied the accusation, but at last by dint of threats and promises he was induced to confess that he had turned the old woman into a donkey, she having been not really dead but in a trance, into which he had purposely thrown her

Published source text

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Source passage

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On being charged with the offence of sorcery the _Bouda_ tried to make light of it and denied the accusation, but at last by dint of threats and promises he was induced to confess that he had turned the old woman into a donkey, she having been not really dead but in a trance, into which he had purposely thrown her. His power, he asserted, was sufficient to change the external appearance, but not to alter the mind of his victim. Hence it was that the old woman, or rather donkey, possessed human feelings, which she had displayed in her endeavours to enter her former habitation and in her recognition of her children. The _Bouda_, moreover, agreed to restore her human appearance, and began his exorcism. As he proceeded she by degrees assumed her natural form, and the change was almost complete, when one of the sons, blinded by his rage, forgot the promises of pardon which the _Bouda_ had exacted, and drove his spear through his heart.

Historical context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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Modern context

Contextual commentary · mention only

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