Judicial records from the colonial period preserve testimonies that make it possible to reconstruct healing practices carried out by enslaved and freed people of African descent in Callao, Peru, during the 18th century.
This was stated by ethnobotanist and archaeologist Hernan Hurtado, who has been reviewing historical documents related to witchcraft and healing-practice trials.
According to Hurtado, access to formal medicine was limited for much of the population during that period.
As a result, people of diverse ethnic backgrounds turned to healers and traditional knowledge practitioners to treat illnesses and address other everyday problems.
"In the 18th century, medicine was scarcely available to most of the population. That is why we find that people from different ethnic groups turned to these healers," he indicated.
Incantations in unknown languages
Among the testimonies found in the judicial records are references to individuals known as Bernabe Murillo and a female healer nicknamed Pan y Queso (Bread and Cheese).
According to statements contained in the case files, both performed incantations in languages that witnesses were unable to identify.
"The testimonies indicate that they performed their incantations in languages that could not be understood," Hurtado explained.
The documents also mention the use of various herbs for therapeutic purposes.
However, the researcher emphasized that these practices did not belong to a single cultural tradition but instead reflected processes of exchange and adaptation involving knowledge from different regions.
A tradition shaped by cultural exchange
Hurtado noted that the records reveal an early blending of African, Andean, and other knowledge traditions from different parts of the world.
Callao played a key role in this process due to its status as the Viceroyalty's main port.
"Callao was a gateway for materials, goods, and knowledge from different parts of the world," he stated.
This exchange was reflected in the resources used by healers as well.
Herbs and other materials used in rituals and treatments could originate from different geographical regions, becoming integrated into practices that evolved over time.
What archaeological excavations reveal
The expert noted that archaeological research also provides insights into the customs of early Afro-descendant communities that settled in what is now Peru.
Hurtado explained that traces of various herbs have been identified in pipes recovered from several excavations associated with people of African origin.
However, he noted that specialized studies are still needed to determine precisely which plant species were used and what their purpose was.
"We have found traces of various herbs in archaeological pipes, but studying them to better understand these communities' customs remains a pending task," he concluded.
(END) EGC/MAO/MVB