Study Notes on Conjuring with Coca and the Inca: The Andeanization of Lima's Afro-Peruvian Ritual Specialists, 1580-1690

Historical Context: The role of African diasporic communities in the Americas was critical in the formation of colonial societies, influencing subsistence activities, housing, language, religion, and artistic expression.
- Focus on Afro-Peruvians: Their contribution to establishing a place in colonial society is demonstrated by their dual reputation of respect and stigma, with a unique capability to address problems and illnesses believed to arise from supernatural forces.

Initial Phase (1580s-1590s): In this period, Afro-Peruvians adapted Iberian and Catholic traditions while involving indigenous practitioners only under specific circumstances.
- Cultural Syncretism: Emergence of hybrid rituals as Afro-Peruvians began to blend African, Iberian, and indigenous practices, leading to unique ritual concepts like an imagined Inca protector and coca leaf ceremonies with curative and divinatory powers.

Second Phase (1620s-1630s): Afro-Peruvian specialists began experimenting with Andean rituals and products directly, moving from indirect involvement to ownership and reinvention of indigenous knowledge.
- Expanding Hybrid Practices: Ritualists began blending Catholic prayers with native Andean elements, such as coca leaves, and introduced colonial alcoholic beverages like grape brandy into their practices.
- Impact on Urban Witchcraft: Between 1660s and 1690s, Afro-Peruvian specialists incorporated these elements into a body of urban witchcraft that reflected their unique experiences and social contexts.

Inquisition's Role: The Catholic Church and the Inquisition attempted to curtail these practices through investigations of idolatry, witchcraft, and superstition, considering these practices as threats.
- Campaigns of Suppression: Ecclesiastical investigations targeted specific ritual practices, but their effectiveness was limited due to the pervasive nature of these rituals in urban life.

Social Dynamics: Afro-Peruvians acted as cultural mediators, influencing both Spanish and Indigenous populations in their practices. They maintained distinct ethno-racial identities while fostering intercultural connections.
- Community Integration: Afro-Peruvian ritualists facilitated cooperation among diverse groups through shared rituals, such as coca chewing, which became a central social activity for resolving personal issues and spiritual needs.

Coca Use: A profound cultural shift as coca, previously regarded as an Indian item, gained broader acceptance among non-Indians.
- Ritual Activities: Included masticating coca leaves in social settings, divining futures through the interpretation of the chewed leaves, and invoking the spirit of an Inca figure for assistance.
- Example:** "Mama mia, coca mia, I chew not you, but the heart of [name]."
Cleansing Rituals: Ritual specialists like Maria de Bribiescas utilized baths, herbs, and even guinea pigs in cleansing rituals aimed at purifying and aiding clients.
- Techniques included previously established indigenous practices, demonstrating a blend of Iberian and Andean traditions.

Cultural Formation: Afro-Peruvians played a pivotal role in the urban colonial culture of Lima, significantly shaping the use of magical practices and community connections.
- Legacy of Rituals: Despite church repression, the enduring popularity of Afro-Peruvian rituals illustrated their deep-rooted legitimacy in society, counteracting the attempts to suppress them.
- Interconnected Cultures: The hybridization of traditions created a unique colonial culture that intertwined the experiences of Spanish, Indigenous, and African peoples in Lima, shaping a complex social landscape.