Baiga

(probably a corruption of the word
vaidaga, or “healer”) A sorcerer, healer,
and ritual technician connected with
spirits at the lower levels of the pantheon; a baiga sometimes acts as a
medium for village deities and at other
times as an exorcist for witches, bhuts,
and prets. A baiga’s power is based on
his command of mantras, sacred
sounds either acquired from a relative as
his hereditary birthright or bought from
a knowledgeable person. Baigas minister to people’s immediate troubles,
whether caused by illness, misfortune,
accident, or alleged possession. This
pervasive connection with people’s
everyday concerns makes them important figures in urban as well as rural
India. The most successful baigas are
those who radiate the greatest air of
authority, and thus instill in their
patients the confidence that the baiga
can and will alleviate their distress. For a
short account of the baiga’s work, see
Lawrence Babb, The Divine Hierarchy,
1975; for a more developed perspective
on Indian healers and healing, see
Sudhir Kakar, Shamans, Mystics, and
Doctors, 1991.