Fright, Witches, and Soul-Seekers
Among the Maseual-Nahua from the Norte de Puebla, Spanish Catholicism, which was imposed on them five centuries ago, coexists with other representations and practices. These concern the multiple supernatural powers which inhabit under and around their enchanted territory: the Masters of land, fauna, water, fire, maize and the “Winds”. These spirits, who live in “worlds other”, can take away and hurt one or the other of the animic entities which any individual possesses: the “heart-spirit” (yolot), the “shadow” (ekauil) or the “animal double” (tonal). When a disease resists to herbal remedies, it is suspected to have been caused by a “fright” resulting from meeting one of these forces, or by envy, by the evil eye or by a witch. Only a shaman will be able to diagnose among these with precision. In a divinatory dream, he or she will invoke the Masters of the different “worlds other” and come to terms with them to bring back the animic entity which has been lost, allowing for the patient’s recovery. While the community rituals are conceived as gifts offerings, shamanistic practice is carried on as negotiated exchange, when not open conflict with negative supernatural forces.