6. Witchcraft

There are two theories involving witchcraft: the Croatoan either executed the colonists as witches, or the colonists were the victims of witches who live in the North Carolina woods. The Croatians believed in witches and witchcraft. Their definition of witches was people who used black magic to commit evil acts in everyday life.

While there is no evidence that the Croatoan executed witches, or that the Croatoan accused the people of Roanoke of witchcraft, they were known for condemning dangerous outsiders. They easily could have blamed the people of Roanoke for spreading diseases to which the Croatoan had no immunity.

The Croatians and other Native American tribes tell legends of witches who live in the North Carolina woods who used black magic to hurt other people. There is a story that the people of Roanoke became the victims of these witches when they left the island, and that is why they were never heard from again.