Got soul trouble? Meet Nepal’s “urban shamans”

The World

After decades of modernisation when witch doctors were almost wiped out, "urban shamans" are enjoying a renaissance among Nepal's metropolitan middle class and Westerners looking to be healed, cleansed or spiritually awakened, France24 reports.

That's too bad, considering that rural Nepalis could use some health care, too.  But maybe with the witch doctors working in the cities, some actual medical doctors will be forced out into the hills.

Oh, wait.  France24 also says, "Last week villagers in southern Nepal beat a neighbour and burned her alive because their shaman had told them she was a witch."

No news yet about whether that ended the drought or made everybody rich or whatever.  I'll keep you posted.

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