Many Black Women of this Fortress by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0000000000000
Published: 2022-12-18T11:38:29+00:00

VIII

Incensed and doubtful, Azambuja told Mónica that “she was manifestly denying the truth,” an actuality “which was known and was told by the witnesses, and therefore he admonished her in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ to fully confess her crimes.” Then his anger abated somewhat, and he promised that “if she acted thus and not otherwise, she would be treated mercifully.” Mónica did not respond. Instead, she was escorted to her cell in the prison. But the interrogation was not over.³⁰

On September 14, over a week later, Mónica was called to appear before the inquisitors in the Holy Inquisition’s council chamber to answer additional questions. They asked “whether she was mindful of any other spells she might have cast, above all, whether she called on demons or invoked them.” This series of questions proceeded in rapid succession. Inquisitors also wondered “whether she anointed herself with the powders made of redwood with mud so that they [the captain and officials] might love her or that she might become invisible and fly through the air; and whether, after anointing herself [with the powders], she went to gatherings on the back of some demon, to places where they ate, and drank, and reveled, committing any other indecencies.” To these absurdities, Mónica responded, “I have never talked with demons or made a pact with them, and the truth is that I anointed myself with mud and with powders made of redwood, and with oil and crushed broad bean, which I was taught to make by a black man who was a healer, who lived in a village [Adena] next to the fortress of Mina.”³¹

Indeed, Mónica stressed, as if in a closing argument, “I did not anoint myself in order to become invisible, or go to gatherings where one ate and drank, or ride on animals to take me there, or make people love me, but I anointed myself because it was a local custom among the black people and because I saw the other black women and black men do it. And in the basket, as I have said in the above confession, I carried those ointments with which I anointed myself, as well as soap to wash the clothes, and I did not cast any other spells or superstitions, and the local men call those ointments spells.” When Mónica stopped speaking, the questions also ceased, and the inquisitors began their deliberations.³²

In the course of reaching their verdict, the inquisitors returned to an examination of the records delivered from São Jorge da Mina and the confessions of Mónica Fernandes. They then announced a stunning verdict. They were of the “opinion that these were matters of minor importance and unworthy of being remitted to the Ordinary [Justice], [and] ordered that the said Mónica should be taken to the College of the Doctrine of the Faith so that she might be instructed there in matters of faith.” The inquisitors, led by Friar Jerónimo de Azambuja, also ordered Mónica “to confess herself and behave like a good Christian, so that she might be released from there.

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