Silences about gender in Brazilian historiography: Inquisition and witchcraft in Portuguese AmericaABSTRACT
Since the publication of Satanism and Witchcraft, by Jules Michelet, the field of English-language studies about the phenomenon of witch-hunting has gained more notice among researchers and an analytical depth marked by a diversity of interpretations, positioning and theoretical arguments that have come to include gender as an analytical tool. In contrast, new research on witchcraft in Brazil has not developed such analytical depth. For example, Laura de Mello e Souza’s study about the relationship between gender and sexuality and witchcraft only references English-language research like Linda C. Huts’ book The Witch as Muse. This article aims to problematize the Brazilian historiography of witchcraft and religion, highlighting the principal trends, theories and methodologies used by historians. Based on some criticisms made by gender historians related to the theme of witch-hunts, the study seeks to question the extent to which Brazilian historiography has attempted to include gender relations as an analytical tool that is fundamental to understanding witch-hunts.
Keywords: Brazilian historiography; witchcraft; gender