Report on Obeah in Barbados, 1788

This testimony comes from a report to Parliament by the Board of Trade. The report contains much useful information about the condition of enslaved people living in the British Caribbean colonies. In this particular section on Barbados, John Brathwaite and the Council of the Island reported on the presence of Obeah in those colonies. It offers many useful insights into how colonists perceived the practice of Obeah. Furthermore, Obeah is described as witchcraft rather than as a formal religion.

Whether Negroes called Obeah-Men, or under any other Denomination, practicing Witchcraft, exist in the Island of Barbados?

Brathwaite – Negroes formerly called Obeah-men, but now more commonly called Doctors, do exist in Barbadoes; but I understand that they are not so many at present as formerly, and that the Number has diminished greatly in the course of the last Twenty Years.

Council of the Island – There is hardly any Estate in the Island in which there is not some old Man or Woman who affects to possess some supernatural Power. These are called Obeah Negroes, and by the superstitious Negroes much feared.

By what Arts or by what Means, do these Obeah-Men cause the Death, or otherwise injure, those who are supposed to be influenced thereby; and what are the Symptoms and Effects that have been observed to be produced in People who are supposed to be under the Influence of their Practice?

Brathwaite – The Arts they practice are in general like those adopted in Europe, by the more cunning and designing, to operate on the Passions and Credulity of weak and superstitious Minds, not exactly similar to Animal Magnetism, but as ridiculous, and perhaps as difficult to be described. Indeed they take care to keep secret their supposed Art, particularly from the Whites. The Symptoms produced on Persons by their juggling Tricks are as various as in Europe, when sudden but vast painful Affections of the Mind are brought on. I understand the most general are the Loss of Appetite, great Listlesness, Langour and Debility, with a Propensity to eat improper and indigestible Food, declaring frequently that they are bewitched, and going moping about all day long: Hence Obstructions, Swellings of the Extremities, Tympany, Death.

Council of the Island – Of their Arts we know nothing; but of the Effects produced by them, on those on whom they are exercised, are a Dejection of Spirits, and a gradual Decay.

Are the Instances of Death or Diseases produced by these Arts or Means frequent?

Brathwaite – The Instances of Death or Diseases are less frequent now than formerly in Barbadoes. The present Race of Negroes there, being for the most part Natives, are more civilized; and from being better informed, they are not so easily deluded: I am told that the Obeah-men act now principally as Fortune-tellers. Some of them have Knowledge in Simples, and can apply them with Success in the Cure of Wounds. From their Knowledge of Poisons they would do a great deal of Mischief, were they not restrained by their Fear of the Whites.

Council of the Island – Not frequent, and much less so than formerly.

Are these Arts or Means brought by the Obeah-Men from Africa, or are they Inventions which have been originated in the Island?

Brathwaite – Most undoubtedly imported with them from Africa.

Council of the Island – It has been so long known here, that the Origin is difficult to trace; but the Professors are as often Natives as Africans.

Whether any or what Laws exist in the Island of Jamaica for their Punishment, and what Evidence is generally required for their Conviction?

Brathwaite – I should think that some Law has been enacted to punish them; but I can find none.

Council of the Island – They have been considered too despicable to come under the Notice of any public Law.