Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Olivella, Manuel Zapata

Titel

Children of God and the She-Devil

Ist Teil von

• Changó, Decolonizing the African Diaspora, 2022, p.88-108

Auflage

1

Ort / Verlag

Routledge

Erscheinungsjahr

2022

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Alma/SFX Local Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• This chapter details events in Cartagena de Indias, focusing on two historically based figures: the holy man San Pedro Claver, who seeks to aid suffering individuals, and the institution of the Inquisition, which forcefully extracts confessions from suspected heretics. Father Claver’s assistant Sacabuche’s nephew starts narrating, but that voice morphs, without explicit indication, into that of Sacabuche himself, and then into that of the legendary Pupo Moncholo, a truth-telling half-Devil. The awe-inspiring pageantry of the Inquisition is displayed. Slaves reveal how they syncretically entertain Catholic teachings and African traditions, without conflict. Many examples are provided of how the Church tortures and executes confessed heretics. Father Claver is merciful with the slaves, but not in a way that pleases the Orichas. Moncholo discloses corruption within the Inquisition, including orgies, sex trafficking, and perversions. Sacabuche recounts his life, including captivity, deprivation, travel, multiple languages, worldliness, and under-appreciation. During Holy Week, the slaves gather to dance, celebrate, and crown Benkos Biojo King of the ekobios (warriors). The night patrol breaks up the festivities, deposing Benkos and causing a rift between him and Father Claver.