Latin American Witchcraft: Latin American witchcraft is a diverse and complex subject that encompasses a wide range of folk beliefs, practices, and traditions. It is rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the region, drawing influences from Indigenous, African, and European traditions. The practice of witchcraft in Latin America is shaped by both ancient indigenous beliefs and the influence of colonization and religious syncretism. Indigenous cultures in Latin America have a long history of spirituality and connection to the natural world. Shamanism, for example, has been practiced for thousands of years and continues to be an important aspect of Indigenous spirituality. Shamanic practices often involve healing, divination, and communication with spirits and ancestors.
Spanish colonizers immediately prohibited many Aztec health plants like psychedelic mushrooms, but kept chocolate around, even adopting the beverage for themselves (probably because they realized that it was delicious). It eventually became a mass-market phenomenon, with people drinking it every day as opposed to reserving it for special occasions. Chocolate’s popularity became a symbol swept up in the developing patchwork Latin American culture, which was a melting pot of indigenous, African, and Spanish cultures.
Santería favors ritual correctness over personal belief, so if you want to try your hand at accessing some of the religion s power, make sure you find a trustworthy santero. Engagement with Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian or indigenous religions varies widely among the religiously unaffiliated ranging from 45 who report medium to high levels of engagement in Nicaragua to 22 in Argentina and Mexico.
Shamanic practices often involve healing, divination, and communication with spirits and ancestors. They also incorporate the use of herbs, rituals, and sacred objects. African influence on Latin American witchcraft can be traced back to the transatlantic slave trade.
Brujería in Latin America
A couple of weeks ago I was talking on video call with my fiancé who is, as some of you already know, Honduran. He was telling me about how someone we know had done something wrong, but that it was okay and forgivable because that person had clearly been cursed and wasn’t in their right mind. That was his total explanation, and he was okay with it. I, on the other hand, thought that he was joking. There’s no way he could be serious, he didn’t actually believe in magic and curses and voodoo. First of all, we’re both practicing Catholics. Doesn’t that go against some kind of Church teaching? But as he went on, I realized just how serious and normal this was for him. In retrospect, I remember various instances of him and his family making references to voodoo and strange curative foods and recipes, all of which I had taken as jokes at the time. I was left dumbfounded, completely without comprehension.
It wasn’t a judgement thing, don’t get me wrong. I just didn’t understand it. My whole life I grew up with the understanding that Ouija boards were fake and magic could only be found in books, movies, and my imagination as a small child. I knew that there were different groups of people who followed Satanism or believed in Shamanism or were just really focused on chakras and vibes. I knew maybe 1 or 2 people who personally believed in any of these things. But I had never imagined that ideas like this formed a natural and popular part of a whole culture. So I want to try to understand it. For that reason, I plan to complete my final project with a focus on brujería (magic or witchcraft in English) as a part of popular culture in Latin America. A little farther down the line I will likely find a more focused focus within that focus, but for now I have found an article to get me started on the topic.
The article “Merging Magical Traditions: Sorcery and Witchcraft in Spanish and Portuguese America” by Iris Gareis goes over a lot of the history of the understanding of magic in Latin America, discussing it’s different roots and evolutions over time. Gareis describes the effect of colonization on concepts of witchcraft, and how different forms of colonization made way for different common understandings of magic. The article also describes a general acknowledgement of the perceived difference between witchcraft and sorcery, and details how these two types of magic are seen as different. These descriptions were interesting to me as they matched much of what has been explained to me personally. This was only a small part of the many interesting things described in the article, and I look forward to sharing it all (or as much as I can) in my project.
My question to the class is this: do you believe in magic or witchcraft? All of it? Parts of it? Why or why not?
Enslaved Africans brought their own religious and spiritual beliefs to the region, which blended with indigenous traditions and Catholicism to create unique syncretic practices. One example of this is the Afro-Caribbean religion of Santeria, which combines elements of the Yoruba religion from West Africa with Catholicism. Catholicism, brought by European colonizers, played a significant role in shaping Latin American witchcraft as well. In an effort to suppress indigenous and African spiritual practices, Catholicism was imposed upon the native populations. However, rather than eradicating indigenous beliefs, the Catholic Church incorporated elements of these practices into its own rituals, creating a form of religious syncretism. This blending of beliefs and practices is often referred to as "folk Catholicism" and is still prevalent in many Latin American countries. Today, Latin American witchcraft is practiced in various forms and contexts. It can range from traditional practices passed down through generations, to more modern interpretations that incorporate elements of New Age spirituality. Common practices include divination, healing, protection, and the use of charms and amulets. Many practitioners also engage in spiritual work with various deities, spirits, and ancestors. While Latin American witchcraft is often associated with folk beliefs and practices, it is important to recognize that it is a living and evolving tradition. It continues to adapt and change in response to social, cultural, and political contexts. It remains an important aspect of the region's cultural identity, providing individuals with a sense of connection to their heritage, spirituality, and community..
Reviews for "The Significance of Ancestral Worship in Latin American Witchcraft"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really hoping to learn more about traditional Latin American witchcraft, but this book fell short of my expectations. The information provided was very basic and limited, and it barely scratched the surface of the rich and diverse traditions that exist in Latin America. The author seemed to rely heavily on stereotypes and generalizations, which felt repetitive and unoriginal. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to those seeking in-depth knowledge on the subject.
2. Mark - 1 star - Latin American witchcraft has always fascinated me, so I was excited to pick up this book. Unfortunately, it completely missed the mark. The content felt extremely watered down and lacked any real depth or substance. It seemed more like a superficial overview rather than a comprehensive exploration of the topic. The author's writing style was also quite dry and unengaging, making it a struggle to get through. I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to anyone looking to truly delve into the world of Latin American witchcraft.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - As someone with a strong interest in witchcraft and Latin American culture, I had high hopes for this book. However, I was left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed. The information provided was too basic and lacked any real depth or analysis. It felt like the author was simply regurgitating common knowledge without adding any unique insights or perspectives. Additionally, the book lacked organization and coherence, jumping from one topic to another without a clear structure. Overall, I found this book to be a missed opportunity to explore the fascinating world of Latin American witchcraft in a meaningful way.
4. Michael - 3 stars - While this book touched on some interesting aspects of Latin American witchcraft, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The author provided a decent overview of the different practices and beliefs, but I was left wanting more detailed information and analysis. Some sections felt rushed and lacked depth, leaving me with unanswered questions. Additionally, a more balanced approach could have been beneficial, as the author seemed to heavily focus on certain regions and neglect others. Overall, it was an alright introduction to the subject, but not the comprehensive exploration I was hoping for.