Belief in the Supernatural and Witchcraft in the Peasant Worldview of the Russian Empire at the Turn of the XIX‒XX Century

This article explores the worldview of the peasantry in the Russian Empire at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, with particular focus on the role of belief in the supernatural and witchcraft in the folk worldview. The authors analyze various aspects of the daily life of the peasantry, with special emphasis on the perception of magical practices as an integral component of interaction with the surrounding reality. The work demonstrates that witchcraft rituals and superstitions fulfilled a protective function, safeguarding individuals, livestock, and property from hostile forces. Particular attention is paid to the interaction of pagan beliefs, Christian tradition, rational perceptions, and official ideology. The authors conclude that, depending on the specific circumstances, one of these ideological strata could become dominant, but the state doctrine did not have a significant impact on archaic views. Traditional beliefs were not only preserved in the peasant environment, but also continued to exist in subsequent historical periods.