Witchcraft and Welfare: Spiritual Capital and the Business of Magic in Modern Puerto Rico

by Raquel Romberg

Persecuted as evil during colonial times, considered charlatans during the nation-building era, Puerto Rican brujos (witch-healers) today have become spiritual entrepreneurs who advise their clients not only in consultation with the spirits but also in compliance with state laws and new economic opportunities. Combining trance, dance, magic, and healing practices with expertise in the workings of the modern welfare state, they help lawyers win custody suits, sick employees resolve labor disability claims, single mothers apply for government housing, or corporation managers maximize their commercial skills. Drawing on extensive fieldwork among practicing brujos, this book presents a masterful history and ethnography of Puerto Rican brujería (witch-healing). Raquel Romberg explores how brujería emerged from a blending of popular Catholicism, Afro-Latin religions, French Spiritism, and folk Protestantism and also looks at how it has adapted to changes in state policies and responded to global flows of ideas and commodities. She demonstrates that, far from being an exotic or marginal practice in the modern world, brujería has become an invisible yet active partner of consumerism and welfare capitalism.

Genres: Nonfiction, Latino, Spirituality, History, Academic

335 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2003

Reviews

[Elias · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read it for a religious studies class, and while it was very informative it was also fairly dry. The first couple chapters in particular are hard to get through. If you're new to reading ethnographies (like I am) I'd recommend pacing yourself and not trying to read whole chapters in one sitting.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A masterful history and ethnography of Puerto Rican brujeria ... [The author:] explores how brujeria emerged from a blending of popular Catholicism, Afro-Latin religions, French Spritism, folk Protestantism, and also looks at how it has adapted to changes in state policies and responded to global flows of ideas and commodities. She demonstrates that, far from being an exotic or marginal practice in the modern world, brujeria has become an invisible yet active partner of consumerism and welfare capitalism."

A fascinating read!

[Freddie Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anecdotal, yet informative

Romberg gives an inside look into the world of espiritismo and brujería. She gives lots of stories regarding consultations, misas, and magical work. She fairly evaluates a spiritual practice that was demonized and ostracized for hundreds of years. Heavily recommended for inquirers.

[Cyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read this one for school, but I'm still counting it for my reading challenge lmao.

A good, informative read about the witch healers of Puerto Rico, but at times it was really heavy and I felt bogged down trying to get through it. If you don't /have/ to read it...I wouldn't lol.