Feeling down about Donald Trump’s election and hope he will fail? Want to curse Nigel Farage for leading the UK to Brexit? A group of sorcerers in Hong Kong have what you need, and a track record they say proves their success.

Known locally as “villain hitters”, the group of mostly elderly women set up stall every day under a flyover in the former British colony’s busiest shopping district. As Hong Kong residents have become increasingly disillusioned with their leaders, more and more have sought out a more ethereal method to vent their anger.

As his popularity plummeted, Hong Kong’s leader, Leung Chun-ying, has been increasingly in the crosshairs of the roadside retribution vendors.

“During the hitting, we ask the gods of heaven and earth to punish the villains, to make them less dominant,” said Wong Gat-lei, a third-generation villain hitter who has been casting spells for more than 20 years.

“People want to weaken others through villain hitting to achieve peace of mind,” she said. “But it’s more about achieving peace of mind by releasing your anger.”

At roadside stalls with burning incense and an assortment of statues of deities, the sorcerers hit a paper effigy with their shoe while cursing the villain in question. If there is a specific target, patrons can write a name on the paper or bring a photo.



Once it has been beaten to shreds, the sorcerers rub the remains with a slab of pork fat and burn it. They then chant for good fortune, and all for just HK$50 (£5.25).

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A villain hitter burns a paper effigy representing evil spirits. Photograph: Benjamin Haas/The Guardian

The ritual originated centuries ago, when farmers in southern China performed the ceremony to drive away evil spirits. It has since evolved into a means for people from all walks of life to release their anger, but many of the women casting spells under the flyover are from rural villages in China.

A stream of people have brought Leung’s photo to be hit, Wong said, but she would not take credit for his decision not to seek a second term in elections next year. Tourists from neighbouring Taiwan have also stopped at her shrine, paying to curse their former president Ma Ying-jeou.

Political tension in Hong Kong exploded two years ago, resulting in nearly three months of street protests, road occupations and constant calls for Leung to step down led by what became know as the umbrella movement.

“People felt depressed and powerless in the immediate aftermath of the umbrella movement, as even such a large scale mobilisation failed to bring about any observable change,” said Mathew Wong, a politics professor at the University of Hong Kong. “Leung’s rule was too divisive, and people are dissatisfied with him as much as with the system.”

Some villain hitters choose not to get involved in politics, and turn away those wanting to curse public figures. “This is about protecting you and giving you good luck,” said a woman known as Grandma Leung. “We want to drive the evil away from you, not harm others.”

Her refusal has not tamed the desire for otherworldly blood. After being inundated with requests, she was forced to hang up a sign that advises customers not to bring photographs of famous people to be cursed.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A villain hitter beats a paper effigy with her shoe. Photograph: Benjamin Haas/The Guardian

For most Hong Kong residents, however, evil lurks much closer to home. A 2014 survey by a local newspaper said the top targets of black magic were colleagues, bosses and mistresses.

Aside from hexing enemies, the women advertise spells to cure illness, stop babies from crying, help souls crossover and even contact dead ancestors for marital advice.



On a recent afternoon, an estate agent was dispatched by his boss with orders to cast five spells, hoping to ensure good fortune and business for the coming year.

“I’m here because I’ve been sick recently,” said another patron who refused to give his name. “I would say that villain hitting can bring me good luck for the new year.”

With the shrines sandwiched between one of the city’s main thoroughfares and a bus interchange, there is no shortage of footfall, and many stare as they walk by with a look of longing, wondering if a bit of change might fix lift their life’s woes.

For the political targets, the villain hitters may have a new wave of customers as the race to become Hong Kong’s next leader begins and frustration builds.

“In the grand scheme of things there won’t be much change in the system and politics in Hong Kong is still dominated by Beijing,” said Wong.

“People simply try to stage a show more than anything else” by targeting politicians with villain hitting, he said. “To be sure people need to find other ways to deal with their political frustration.”