Abstract

RESTREPO, LUÍS CARLOS. Sorcery as a resource for women in the Cartagena de Indias of the seventeenth century: a window to everyday conflicts. memorias [online]. 2020, n.41, pp.65-80.  Epub May 14, 2021. ISSN 1794-8886.  https://doi.org/10.14482/memor.41.200.92.

The text analyzes the activity of enchanting women in the colonial society of Cartagena in the seventeenth century through erotic-loving spells preserved in the inquisitorial processes of the Court of the Holy Office preserved in the National Historical Archive of Spain. By analyzing these spells, the group of sorceresses can be defined as colonial subjects that had their own cultural identity as a result of the different immigrations to the city. The witchcraft activities carried out by these women reflect the status of women in the colonial society of Cartagena in the 17th century. His statements before the Inquisition reveal his daily activity, both private and public. Colonial society standardized love, sexuality, offspring within marriage leaving women in a precarious situation, especially if they were part of disadvantaged groups. Therefore, spells were a symbolic weapon of women to seek love, enjoyment of sexuality (inside and outside marriage) and, above all, economic security.

Keywords : Sorceries; spells; sexuality; love; affectivity; gender; multiculturalism.

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