Tituba and the Devil's Covenant: Myth or Reality?

Tituba was a black slave who lived in Salem, Massachusetts during the infamous witch trials in the late 17th century. She is often referred to as the "Black Witch of Salem". Tituba's involvement in the trials is significant as she was one of the first individuals accused of witchcraft. Tituba was brought to Salem by Parris, a Reverend, and his family. She worked as a servant in their household and was known for her knowledge of folk magic and different spiritual practices. It is believed that she practiced some form of voodoo or other Afro-Caribbean religious beliefs.

“You don’t know how to talk. Your hair is a tangle. You could be lovely if you wanted to,” Tituba’s future husband insults her on their first meeting. And yet she falls in love, another tragedy among the many. “Up until now I had never thought about my body. Was I beautiful? Was I ugly? I had no idea.” The reader is as infuriated as the ghost of Abena, who laments over and over, “Why can’t women do without men?” Tituba cannot help herself, though. Her magic comes from what she will be routinely punished for: her connection to her ancestors, her expertise as a healer, and her sexuality.

I learned that we were not the only ones the whites were reducing to slavery, they were also enslaving the Indians, the original inhabitants of both America and our beloved Barbados. Meanwhile, Tituba meets a woman named Judah White , who knows Mama Yaya in the spirit world and who teaches Tituba how to use owls and black cats to conduct magic because nature changes her language according to the land.

It is believed that she practiced some form of voodoo or other Afro-Caribbean religious beliefs. In early 1692, when a group of girls in the Salem village began exhibiting strange behavior, the community quickly turned to superstition and fear. These girls accused Tituba, along with two other women, of bewitching them.

I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem

At the age of seven, Tituba watched as her mother was hanged for daring to wound a plantation owner who tried to rape her. She was raised from then on by Mama Yaya, a gifted woman who shared with her the secrets of healing and magic. But it was Tituba's love of the slave John Indian that led her from safety into slavery, and the bitter, vengeful religion practiced by the good citizens of Salem, Massachusetts. Though protected by the spirits, Tituba could not escape the lies and accusations of that hysterical time.

As history and fantasy merge, Maryse Condé, acclaimed author of Tree of Life and Segu, creates the richly imagined life of a fascinating woman.

Genres Historical FictionFictionFeminismWitchesHistoricalFranceFantasy

225 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Maryse Condé

Maryse Condé is a Guadeloupean, French language author of historical fiction, best known for her novel Segu. Maryse Condé was born as Maryse Boucolon at Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, the youngest of eight children. In 1953, her parents sent her to study at Lycée Fénelon and Sorbonne in Paris, where she majored in English. In 1959, she married Mamadou Condé, an Guinean actor. After graduating, she taught in Guinea, Ghana, and Senegal. In 1981, she divorced, but the following year married Richard Philcox, English language translator of most of her novels.

Condé's novels explore racial, gender, and cultural issues in a variety of historical eras and locales, including the Salem witch trials in I, Tituba: Black Witch of Salem and the 19th century Bambara Empire of Mali in Segu.

In addition to her writings, Condé had a distinguished academic career. In 2004 she retired from Columbia University as Professor Emeritus of French. She had previously taught at the University of California, Berkeley, UCLA, the Sorbonne, The University of Virginia, and the University of Nanterre.

In March 2007, Condé was the keynote speaker at Franklin College Switzerland's Caribbean Unbound III conference, in Lugano, Switzerland.

Wanting a better world for her child, Tituba and Iphigene plot a revolt—but before their plan can come to fruition, the white slaveholders execute them both. Tituba reflects that though very little is written about her in archival history, she lives on in the memories of those she helped to heal, and that her “song” can be heard in “the crackling of a fire between four stones, the rainbow-hued babbling of the river, and the sound of the wind.”

This accusation sparked the beginning of the witch trials in Salem. Tituba was interrogated and she initially denied the accusations. However, after intense questioning and physical abuse, she eventually confessed to practicing witchcraft. Her confession implicated other individuals in the community, and the hysteria surrounding the witch trials escalated further. The involvement of Tituba, a black slave, in the Salem witch trials has raised questions about race and power dynamics during this period. Salem was a deeply divided society, and the accusations of witchcraft provided an opportunity to target individuals who were seen as outsiders or threats to the established order. Tituba's status as a black woman made her vulnerable to these accusations. After her confession, Tituba was imprisoned but escaped execution. Some believe that her survival was due to her cooperation and willingness to accuse others. She eventually gained her freedom and disappeared from the historical record. While Tituba's exact role in the witch trials remains unclear, her story provides insight into the social and cultural tensions of the time. The fact that a black woman was accused of witchcraft reveals the complex intersection of race, religion, and fear that defined the Salem witch trials. Tituba's involvement challenges the traditional narrative of the trials and reminds us of the discrimination and injustice that marginalized groups have faced throughout history..

Reviews for "Tituba's Witchcraft Confessions: Truth or Coerced Testimony?"

1. Jane - 2 stars - I found "I Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" to be a rather disappointing read. While the historical context surrounding the Salem witch trials was interesting, I felt that the character development of Tituba fell short. The narrative often focused on her victimhood and struggles without providing much depth to her personality. Additionally, the writing style lacked fluidity and clarity, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this book.

2. Mark - 1 star - I had high hopes for "I Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" but was ultimately let down. The book's premise intrigued me, but the execution fell flat. The story seemed disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The author included a lot of unnecessary tangents and the pacing was uneven. Furthermore, the writing style felt forced, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and unsatisfying read.

3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - "I Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" had so much potential, but it ultimately failed to deliver. While the concept of exploring the Salem witch trials from the perspective of an enslaved black woman was interesting, the execution left much to be desired. The plot felt scattered, as if it couldn't decide whether to focus on the historical events or Tituba's personal journey. The characterization also felt shallow, with many of the supporting characters lacking depth. Though there were moments that held promise, overall, I was left dissatisfied with this book.

Tituba: The African Slave Behind the Witch Hysteria