I find it fascinating how Appalachian culture has surged into the media spotlight. There is a growing amount of mainstream content attempting to interpret the lives of people in Appalachia—who they are, how they live, and what their culture truly represents.

There are countless videos about hauntings, Bigfoot, sirens, and other mountain stories. Some of these stories hold truth, and some do not—but all of them are undeniably entertaining.

But real Appalachian culture does not come from outsiders looking in. It comes from the voices of the people who have lived it.

If you truly want to understand Appalachia, seek out those whose roots are embedded deep in these mountains. They carry more stories than you can imagine—and more often than not, those stories hold truth passed down through generations.

My own ancestry comes from the South, and I come from a long line of grandmothers who lived in these regions—women who were pioneers in their own time. Unfortunately, I didn’t begin exploring my roots until my late 40s, but as a wise woman once said, better late than never.

It was this curiosity about my ancestry that led me to research Appalachian Granny Witches.

When people first hear that term, their minds often go to images of women casting spells, living alone in cabins deep in the woods, and causing mischief in the lives of others. But that image couldn’t be further from the truth.

Granny Witches were healers. They were doctors, herbalists, counselors, and caretakers of their communities. It wasn’t just a role—it was a calling.

Their knowledge and abilities didn’t just help them survive—they helped entire communities endure, even through the darkest times.

Here, we will explore who these women truly were, what they did, and whether their presence still exists today.

I think you may be surprised by what you discover.