Droughty Apulia and Water Magicians

Abstract

In all the countries of the Mediterranean basin, in the past and sometimes even to-day, the chronic draught of water has given birth, to the great consideration of those individuals who were endowed with a great sensibility which allowed them to discover the presence of water even at great depth: water-diviners.
This paper presents two examples of water-diviners ability belonging to the past; the former happened in the 1908 in Bari, the latter- a more recent one- regarding Mr. Pierino Locapo, a shaman who lived in Altamura area. He died some years ago.
Moreover the paper contains an interview to a water-diviner of Altamura zone, who, although occasionally still to-day, practices this activity.