Abstract
This article will show the importance of cannibalism in the description of the sabbath among the Basques, in the Tableau de l'inconstance des mauvais anges et démons, written by Pierre De Lancre. The Basques were often linked to magic and demons; however, this work constitutes surely the most completed document about such an association. In the Tableau there is a sort of ethnographic analysis of the Basques, who started to be compared to the savages of the New World. Witchcraft and cannibalism are the evidence of a demonic complot, aimed at fighting Christianity and, in some way, the central features of mankind. At any rate, such religious controversy is used also in a totally laical perspective: De Lancre is the representative of the King and his role consists in the affirmation of the French power throughout the region. The purpose of such stereotypes, applied also to other marginalized peoples in Renaissance Europe (such as the inhabitants of Southern Italy portrayed by the Jesuits missionaries), justifies implicitly the necessity to repress and integrate them within the civilization and the forthcoming capitalistic system. Editors note (March 2021): Please see the Errata file, for minor typographic corrections to article as published.
Highlights
This article will show the importance of cannibalism in the description of the sabbath among the Basques, in the Tableau de l'inconstance des mauvais anges et démons, written by Pierre De Lancre
Pierre de Lancre arrives in Labourd in 1609 in order to investigate the presence of the witches
Sorcery becomes a problem for the State and the demonology should not be conceived as a part of the theological debate of that time, even if De Lancre, as we will see, deeply utilises the ideological patterns elaborated by the catholic missionaries in the New World
Summary
This article will show the importance of cannibalism in the description of the sabbath among the Basques, in the Tableau de l'inconstance des mauvais anges et démons, written by Pierre De Lancre. Even the Basques consume tobacco to daze themselves and please the devil: And, just as the Indians in Hispaniola, who, when they smoke a certain herb called cohoba, become disturbed and, putting their hands between their knees and lowering their heads, remain for a time in a state of ecstasy, rise, completely lost and confused, telling of the marvels of their false gods whom they call Cemis, so it is with our witches who return from the sabbath.
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