The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry must have enthralled you enough to be transported into the magical world of spells and incantations! Let the excitement continue as we travel to Catemaco town.
Mental portkey
Veracruz had the monopoly when it came to trade between Spain and her colony. The port was also a stepping-stone for the French between 1838 and 1861. In 1914, they were occupied by the Americans.
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Many African slaves were brought to Mexico during the colonial period. The pre-colonial period of Mexico was rich in the traditions of witchcraft and native healing, specific of the indigenous Aztec culture.
A promoter, “Brujo Mayor” Gonzalo Aguirre, organised a witchcraft convention in Catemaco in 1970. The convention offered a black mass, row boat races, anthropological discourses and the presence of brujos (witches), witch doctors, shamans (medicine man). Since then, this convention is repeated every year beginning on the first Thursday night in March, and continuing till the weekend.
Catemaco is home to Mexico’s witchcraft and witch-doctor industry. It dates back many centuries. It mixes ancient indigenous beliefs, Spanish medieval traditions and voodoo practices from West Africa.
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Every March, the town springs to life as witches, shamans , healers and fortune tellers gather from all over Mexico for the annual Noche de Brujas (Night of the Witches). During this legendary all-night festival a mass cleansing takes place in the hope of alleviating the previous year’s negative energies. The festivities continue through the weekend.
The town of Catemaco is supercharged with mysticism; the streets are crowded all year round with vendors selling trinkets, magical potions and healings. Spiritualists and sorcerers hang out at every nook and cranny selling traditional remedies for just about any problem you can think of. You can also hire a brujas for a spiritual cleansing or have them cast a spell on someone!