ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that Salasaca witchcraft beliefs constitute a sophisticated commentary on the power of church and state bureaucracies. In terms of European attitudes toward magical literacy, Bengt Holbek, for example, sees the use of runes as transitional stage in the move away from magical beliefs. The chapter describes San Gonzalo, sometimes the first question people ask is whether the Salasacas are literate, the premise being that their magical beliefs will disappear once they grasp writing's "real" nature. The owner's description of author's jealous ex-girlfriend and Jorge's angry neighbor was perfectly consistent with most commonly reported motivations for employing San Gonzalo's services: namely, envy or a personal conflict. Indeed, "envy" was the most common term used to describe witchcraft motivations, a shorthand for a range of interpersonal conflicts. It's clear that the recent owners have been women, consistent with gender patterns and writing: many secretaries, notary publics, clergy, and virtually all the pre-university teachers whom the Salasacas encounter are female.
