In history, there have been countless instances of societies and cultures engaging in acts of witch-hunting and persecution. One such example is the practice of crushing witch drums. This act, carried out in various parts of the world, aimed to eradicate any remnants of witchcraft or sorcery. The notion of witch drums stemmed from the belief that witches used these instruments to communicate with the supernatural or perform mystical rituals. As a result, the destruction of these drums symbolized the destruction of the witchcraft itself and the liberation from its perceived malevolence. However, it is crucial to understand that these practices were based on superstition and fear rather than evidence or rationality.
Bell Road in MS
We were told that strange sounds were reportedly heard here, but in our few minutes of silence we heard only the sounds of flowing and dripping water. The cave is on the old John Bell property which also sports a replica family log cabin located at Adams, Tennessee, a few miles northwest of Nashville.
However, it is crucial to understand that these practices were based on superstition and fear rather than evidence or rationality. The crushing of witch drums often served as a theatrical display of power by those in authority. By publicly destroying these instruments, rulers and religious authorities sought to convey their supremacy over the supernatural realm and maintain social control.
Bird's Yellow House
Last summer, The Colonel and I visited the Bell Witch Cave in Adams, Tennessee. To tell you the truth I was a bit apprehensive about visiting the cave. The Colonel told me stories about how those who wished to visit the cave sometimes had their plans thwarted by the Bell Witch. The Colonel really wanted to see the cave so I agreed to accompany him.
Before I take you along on our visit to the Bell Witch Cave I must first tell you about the Bell Witch.
The Bell Witch haunting (1817-1821) is a legend centered on the 19-century Bell family of Adams, Tennessee. John Bell Sr. was a farmer alongside the Red River. According to the legend the Bell family came under attack by an invisible entity described as a witch. The witch was able to speak and affect the physical environment. Some accounts record the witch had the ability to be in more than one place at a time, cross distances with rapid speed and have the power of prophecy.
The witch was named 'Kate'. Physical activity centered around the Bell's youngest daughter, Betsy and John Bell, Sr. 'Kate' expressed particular displeasure when Betsy became engaged to a local man named John Gardner.
The haunting began in late summer of 1817 with John Bell Sr. witnessing the apparition of a dog with the head of a rabbit. Bell fired at the animal but it disappeared. Activity moved into the house with sounds of scratching, knocking and lip smacking. Sheets were also pulled from beds. The activity grew intense as 'Kate' pulled hair, slapped, pinched and stuck pins in the family with particular focus on Betsy. Friends of the Bell's would come to the home and try to help them against the witch but no help could be given. Legend has it that even future president Andrew Jackson was intrigued with the story. He and his men were frightened away by the witch while traveling to the Bell farm to investigate.
At times, 'Kate' displayed a form of kindness, especially towards Lucy, John Bell's wife, "the most perfect woman to walk the earth", according to the witch. She would give Lucy fresh fruit plucked from the air and sign hymns to her. 'Kate' also showed John Bell Jr. a measure of respect.
Referring to John Bell Sr. as "Old Jack", the witch claimed she intended to kill him and signaled this intention through curses, threats and afflictions. The legend climaxes with John Bell being poisoned by the witch in 1821 and soon after Betsy called off her engagement.
'Kate' told the family she was going to leave but return in seven years. In 1828, she returned as promised to Lucy and her sons Richard and Joel with similar activities as before, but they chose not to encourage the witch and 'Kate' appeared to leave again.
Before our tour of the Bell Witch Cave we had a tour of a replica of the Bell home. The replica is not located on the original site of the Bell home. The original site is some distance away on private land. While touring the rooms of the house we learned of the legend through an audio program. The audio program was well done and very informative.
Now, let me tell you a bit about the Bell Witch Cave. The cave is a Karst cave (formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone). It is approximately 490 feet long. The cave is located on property once owned by the Bell family. Many believe that when the witch departed, she flew to the sanctuary of the cave.
Legend has it that young Betsy Bell and some of her friends had gone to explore the cave. While there, one of the boys crawled into a hole and became stuck. A voice cried out, "I'll get him out" and the boy felt hands grasping his feet and he was pulled out of the hole. The invisible Bell Witch then gave the young explorers a lecture on reckless cave exploring.
Our tour guide for the cave was the owner of the cave. We had a private tour, as no one else was (brave enough to be) on the tour that day. The approach to the cave was a long, down-sloping, gravel trail that was beneath the canopy of very welcomed, shade-giving trees.
The closer we came to the cave's entrance, the cooler the temperatures were. It was very refreshing as the day of our visit was hot and sticky. We finally made it to the cave's entrance and our guide was waiting for us.
We navigated the the few steps down and towards the gated entrance of the cave. Our guide unlocked the gate and we stepped inside the Bell Witch Cave.
The Old Bell Cemetery
Consequently, these actions not only oppressed individuals who were wrongly accused of witchcraft but also contributed to the perpetuation of ignorance and misinformation. Furthermore, the crusade against witch drums reflected a deep-rooted fear of the unknown and a desire for conformity within society. Witches, in many cultures, were seen as outsiders who disrupted the established order of things. Crushing their drums became an act of eliminating anything that deviated from the societal norms and preserving a sense of collective identity and cultural homogeneity. However, it is essential to recognize the harm and injustice caused by such acts. Many innocent individuals, often marginalized or vulnerable members of society, fell victim to these witch hunts. Accusations and subsequent punishments were frequently based on flimsy evidence, rumors, or personal vendettas. Innocent lives were shattered, families torn apart, and communities plagued by mistrust and paranoia. Reflecting on the notion of crushing witch drums, we must acknowledge that it represents a dark chapter in human history, marked by irrationality, intolerance, and injustice. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of prejudice and fear-driven actions that can lead to the persecution of innocent individuals. Ultimately, the concept of crushing witch drums highlights the importance of critical thinking, open-mindedness, and empathy in society. By learning from history, we can strive to create a more inclusive and just world, free from baseless accusations and the suppression of diversity..
Reviews for "Musical Magick: Creating Spells with the Witch Drums"
1. Sarah - 2 stars: The title of the book intrigued me, but unfortunately, "Crush the witch drums" didn't live up to my expectations. The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult for me to follow along. The characters lacked depth and I found it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style felt forced and repetitive, which made it a struggle to finish the book. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend "Crush the witch drums" to others.
2. Brian - 1 star: I really didn't enjoy reading "Crush the witch drums". The storyline was overly convoluted and filled with unnecessary details that didn't contribute to the overall plot. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest quickly. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development, making it hard to care about their fates. The writing style was also quite dull, lacking any creativity or excitement. I wouldn't waste my time reading this book again.
3. Lisa - 2 stars: "Crush the witch drums" was a disappointment for me. The concept seemed intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by sudden action that felt rushed. The dialogue was awkward and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the interactions between characters. The plot twists were predictable and lacked any real impact. Overall, I felt underwhelmed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Mark - 2 stars: I had high hopes for "Crush the witch drums", but unfortunately, it left me feeling unsatisfied. The plot meandered aimlessly, making it hard to stay engaged. The characters lacked depth and their actions often seemed illogical. The writing style was lackluster and didn't captivate my attention. While there were some interesting ideas presented, they were overshadowed by the overall lack of coherence. I wouldn't consider this book a worthwhile read.
5. Emily - 1 star: "Crush the witch drums" was a complete disappointment. The plot was confusing and filled with plot holes that were never adequately addressed. The characters were unlikable and didn't undergo any significant growth throughout the book. The writing style was dry and lacked any sort of emotional impact. I found myself skimming pages just to get through it. Overall, this book failed to hold my interest or provide any level of enjoyment. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.