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Brujeria (band)

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“Brujería” is an ancient form of witchcraft that originated with the indigenous Mesopotamian population in Latin America hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of years ago. It is still practiced today by many indigenous people in Latin American countries as well as in other Hispanic communities worldwide. Brujería is practiced by both men and women, who are known as “brujos” and “brujas”. “Brujas”, or female witches, are considered the more powerful of the two.

In Latin American countries, brujos and brujas are considered the folk healers of their people. The community seeks the help of the brujas to help cure the sick; to help with emotional, romantic, or social problems; to deter evil; and to control events (Guiley 39). Sometimes this magic may be used for good things, such as curing physical illnesses, or ridding oneself of evil. However, brujería can also be used with malicious intent, such as to put curses on someone, or to cause illness or even death.

In the Western world, witchcraft is often seen as a superstition or a diabolical practice. In the history of the United States, particulary, witches have been feared and often persecuted. In contrast, many indigenous Latin American cultures take brujería seriously, and brujas are often well-respected.

Brujas and brujos are not to be confused with their counterparts, “curanderos” (or, the feminine, “curanderas”), who work as the ‘folk psychiatrists’ in the community. While brujas focus most of their attention towards curing physically illnesses and using magic to remedy problems, cuanderos and cuanderas use their magic to ‘clean the soul’ and exorcise the spirits that they feel are responsible for mental illnesses, and other problems (Guiley 81).

Spells and Witchcraft (Hechizos y Brujería)

Brujas use spells (hechizos) as well as charms to perform their magic. Many of these spells are based on common traditional folk cures that have been passed down for generations. Brujas are can be found in the street markets of Mexico, selling charms, amulets, and other magical objects to the public.

Dead hummingbirds are considered one of the most powerful magical charms in brujería. The bruja or brujo will wrap up the hummingbirds in threads of many different colors, with only the beak, feet, and tail feathers showing. The hummingbird is sold and is supposed to be used to help the owner of the charm identify people who they suspect have directed curses or gossip towards them. The owner of the charm is directed to hold the bird in their hand and meditate while holding the hummingbird and the identity of the person who is directing evil towards them is then supposed to be revealed towards them telepathically (Guiley 39). There are many other charms and amulets that brujas use to ward away evil. Dried ‘devil fish’ (a type of ray fish) are used to stop gossip; and ajo macho (a large garlic clove) is worn as an amulet to ward off evil.

In many Latin American countries, brujas and brujas have also been known to use hallucinogenic agents for many of their rites and ceremonies. Many different herbs with narcotic and hallucinogenic properties have been used, including peyote and hallucinogenic mushrooms. The use of these substances produce “visions, telepathic states, metaphysical contemplation and transmigration: these conditions are used by the Indians for the reception of warnings, prophecies, and good counsel” (Hoyt 116).

Sources: Guiley, Rosemary Ellen. The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft. New York: Facts-on-File, 1989.
Hoyt, Charles Alva. Witchcraft. 2nd ed. Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1989.



Brujeria is a Mexican death-grind band. Their name comes from a Spanish language word meaning "witchcraft". Their Satanist, narcotic, refuse-to-play-live and masked attitude have been their passport to success, although they have recently performed live at locations across the United States and Latin America. Their songs, which are sung entirely in Spanish, are mostly satanic, anti-Christian, sex, immigration, narcotics smuggling, and politics related and also include lyrics about killing Caucasians.

Brujeria is admittedly a side project for founding member and Asesino stalwart Dino Cazares, and has featured artists such as former Faith No More bassist Billy Gould, Old Man's Child/Dimmu Borgir/Cradle Of Filth drummer Nick Barker, Fear Factory drummer Raymond Herrera and Napalm Death bassist Shane Embury. They go under pseudonyms while performing with the band and portray themselves as a Latino band consisting of drug lords concealing their identities due to being wanted by the FBI. Their line-up has changed over time however and could be different at any point in time. This is the reason behind the band's use of masks and once-in-a-blue-moon live performances.

Dino Cazares and Nick Barker quit Brujeria on January 26, 2004. The only remaining members of Brujeria left are Juan Brujo and Shane Embury. Brujeria has recently resurfaced with two new members and will begin touring soon. Asesino's band is still going strong, and Asesino himself describes the band as the new Brujeria, because he claims that Juan Brujo was the reason Brujeria demised.

Controversy and Myths

The band has been filled with a lot of controversy and myths. Some of them include:

  • Brujo being used for a satanic ritual to call forth Satan or any other demoniac figure
  • Members of Brujeria being killed in a gun down by rival Narcotic Dealers
  • The head on the cover of Matando Güeros was a victim of one of Brujo sacrifices
  • Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana and Mexicali women that disappeared never to be seen again were believed to be somehow connected to Brujeria and their sacrifices
  • The FBI initially believed that Brujeria was in fact a real group of Satanic Narcotic Dealers, like the name of one of their songs, and were looking for them for some time.

Discography

Current line-up

Former members

Information Sources

Brujeria DVD Con El Permiso de Satan