Witchcraft has a long and complex history in Colombia, intertwined with indigenous beliefs, colonialism, and religious tensions. Before the arrival of the Spanish, witchcraft held an important place in the indigenous cultures of Colombia. Indigenous communities regarded witches as powerful figures who could communicate with spirits and manipulate natural forces. These witches served as healers, advisors, and leaders within their communities. However, with the Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the perception of witchcraft began to change. The Catholic Church, enforcing its strict religious beliefs, viewed witchcraft as heresy and a threat to religious authority.
This fact may be shocking, as today we perceive midwiving to be a positive career. What could be so wicked about helping safely deliver babies, or using herbal remedies to alleviate the pain of childbirth? However, it was likely the employment of plant medicines that posed the biggest issue for the Catholic Church during this time. For instance in Western Europe, midwives often used belladonna, deadly nightshade, and ergot ,a fungus which grows on rye, during the labor process (Lang). These remedies seemed to be generally effective in easing some of the suffering of childbirth, yet, the church likely perceived any attempt to assuage this pain as a violation of God’s wishes (Ehrenreich and English).
Because the numbers of healers midwives persecuted were not widely recorded, studies may either over or under exaggerate their role in the phenomenon. Because the numbers of healers midwives persecuted were not widely recorded, studies may either over or under exaggerate their role in the phenomenon.
The Catholic Church, enforcing its strict religious beliefs, viewed witchcraft as heresy and a threat to religious authority. Colombian witches were accused of practicing magic and making pacts with the devil. This marked the beginning of the persecution and demonization of witches in Colombia.
An Anatomy of Witchcraft Between Cognitive Sciences and History
Much has been written on witchcraft by historians, theologians, philosophers, and anthropologists, but nothing by scientists. This book aims to reappraise witchcraft by applying to it the advances in cognitive sciences.
The book is divided into four parts. Part I ("Deep History") deals with human emotions and the drive to represent witches as evil female agents. Part II ("Historical Times") focuses on those rare state and church repressions of malefice, which, surprisingly, did not feature in Islamic lands. Modern urbanization dealt a blow to the rural civilizations where accusations of witchcraft were rife. Part III ("In the Laboratory") applies neuroscience to specific case studies to investigate the personification of misfortune, the millenary stereotype witch = woman, the reality of evil, and the phenomenon of treasure hunting. Part IV ("Millenials") wonders whether intentional malefic hatred in a closed chapter in the history of humanity.
An Anatomy of Witchcraft is ideal reading for students and scholars. Given its interdisciplinary nature, the book will be of interest to scholars from many fields including evolutionary psychology, anthropology, women’s history, and cognitive sciences.
During the Spanish Inquisition, witch trials were held, and many accused witches were tortured and executed. The fear of witchcraft and the association of witches with evil persisted long after the end of the Inquisition. The Catholic Church continued to condemn witchcraft, and laws were passed to criminalize the practice. In the 19th century, with the rise of the Colombian nation-state, witchcraft became further stigmatized. The government aimed to consolidate power and control over the population, and witchcraft was seen as a challenge to their authority. Traditional healers and practitioners of folk magic were targeted, and their practices were suppressed. Despite these oppressive conditions, Colombian witchcraft managed to survive in secrecy. Witches adapted their practices and beliefs to blend with Catholicism, creating a syncretic form of witchcraft that incorporated elements of both indigenous and Catholic spirituality. This syncretism allowed witches to continue their practices while appearing to conform to Catholic norms. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in Colombian witchcraft and a reevaluation of its historical significance. Many scholars and practitioners are examining the indigenous roots of Colombian witchcraft and the resilience of witches in the face of persecution. The cultural and historical importance of Colombian witchcraft is being recognized, and efforts are being made to preserve and celebrate this unique tradition. Overall, the historical background of Colombian witchcraft is a complex tapestry of indigenous beliefs, colonialism, religious tensions, and survival. Witches in Colombia have faced persecution and marginalization throughout history, but their practices have managed to endure and evolve. Today, there is a growing appreciation for the cultural significance of Colombian witchcraft and a recognition of the resilience of its practitioners..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Folk Medicine in Colombian Rural Communities: An Intertwined History"
1. Sally - 2/5 stars
I was really disappointed with "Historical background of Colombian witchcraft". While I was excited to learn about Colombian witchcraft and its history, this book was extremely dry and dull. The author seemed to focus more on dates and facts rather than bringing the subject to life. I struggled to stay engaged and found myself skimming through the pages. I was hoping for more stories and anecdotes to get a better understanding of the topic, but this book simply didn't deliver.
2. Mark - 3/5 stars
"Historical background of Colombian witchcraft" offers a comprehensive overview of the subject matter. However, I found the writing style to be too academic and inaccessible for the average reader. The author goes into great detail about the various aspects of Colombian witchcraft, which is commendable, but it was difficult to follow at times. The lack of storytelling made it feel more like a textbook than an engaging read. I would recommend this book to those with a strong interest in the topic, but for casual readers, it might be too heavy and lacking in entertainment value.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I was expecting "Historical background of Colombian witchcraft" to be an intriguing and captivating exploration of a fascinating subject. Sadly, the book fell short of my expectations. The writing was dry and lacked a personal touch. I found it difficult to connect with the material and struggled to stay interested. The author seemed more focused on presenting historical facts and figures rather than delving into the stories and cultural significance behind Colombian witchcraft. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and would not recommend this book to others looking for an engaging read.
4. John - 2/5 stars
I was really looking forward to learning about the historical background of Colombian witchcraft, but this book was a major letdown. The writing style was disjointed and hard to follow. It felt like the author was trying to cram too much information into each chapter, leaving me confused and overwhelmed. Additionally, there was a lack of visual aids or illustrations to help illustrate the concepts being discussed. This made it even harder to grasp the subject matter. Overall, I found "Historical background of Colombian witchcraft" to be a difficult and unsatisfying read.