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Latin American Evil Eye Beliefs

Decent Essays

The belief in the evil eye is the most prevalent superstition among different cultures. It is believed to be caused by jealousy or envy. In KSA, for example, the evil eye belief is tied to the fear of envy and jealousy in the eye of the beholder. Aref Abu Rabia says, “[evil eye] is said to be conveyed by a strange gaze, or by admiration without a blessing” (241). Likewise, the Latin American population, including Ecuador, evil eye continues to be widely recognized. In her article, “Variation And Persistence In Latin American Beliefs About Evil Eye," Susan Weller states that, [Latin Americans] believe mal de ojo is caused by the glances or power of stronger persons acting on a weaker person, particularly a child” (Weller 175). Thus, a person’s envious gaze or look carries with it a great deal of power, which can be harmful. …show more content…

He summarizes these consistencies: [The evil eye] is based upon the idea that an individual, male or female, has the power, voluntarily or involuntarily, to cause harm to another individual or his or her property merely by looking at or praising that person or property. The harm may consist of illness, or even death or destruction. Typically, the victim’s good fortune, good health, or good looks or unguarded comments about them invite or provoke an attack by someone with the evil eye. If the object attacked is animate, it may fall ill. Inanimate objects such as buildings or rocks may crack or burst. (Dundes 258) Dundes examines cases of the evil eye across cultures and concludes that they largely share the same characteristics that the evil caused by the gaze of someone possessed of the evil

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