Tricks of the Occult Trade

Reporter Shoira Yusupova joined the growing band of people consulting spiritualists and faith healers in Tajikistan.

IWPR

Institute for War & Peace Reporting

Friday, 29 May, 2009

Tricks of the Occult Trade

Reporter Shoira Yusupova joined the growing band of people consulting spiritualists and faith healers in Tajikistan.

It is illegal to offer “occult services” in Tajikistan, but there is a craze for seeking help on psychological and medical matters from paranormal mediums, self-taught herbalists and others.

For your money – and it is always for money – you can have your fortune told, a curse removed, or a general life enhancement often called “opening the way to your destiny”.

After her first session, the reporter received the answer commonly given to young women seeking help – a prospective husband was on his way, and more could be guaranteed to appear if she booked another session with the spirit world.

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