LOVE-CHARMS

Indians indulge not only in elopements and suicide, but in the use of love-charms—­powders, potions, and incantations.  Inasmuch as the distinguished anthropologist Waitz mentions (III., 102) the use of such charms among the things which show that “genuine romantic love is not rare among Indians,” it behooves us to investigate the matter.

The ancient Peruvians had, according to Tschudi,[238] a special class of medicine men whose business it was

“to bring lovers together.  For this purpose they prepared talismans made from roots or feathers, which were introduced, secretly if possible, into the clothes or bed of those whose inclination was to be won.  Sometimes hairs of the persons whose love was to be won were used, or else highly colored birds from the forest, or their feathers only.  They also sold to the lovers a so-called Kuyanarumi (a stone to cause love) of which they said it could be found only in places that had been struck by lightning.  They were mostly black agates with white veins and were called Sonko apatsinakux (mutual heart-carriers).  These Runatsinkix (human-being-uniters) also prepared infallible and irresistible love-potions.”

Among North American Indians the Ojibways or Chippawas appear to have been especially addicted to the use of love-powders.  Keating writes (II., 163): 

“There are but few young men or women among the Chippewas who have not compositions of this kind, to promote love in those in whom they feel an interest.  These are generally powders of different colors; sometimes they insert them into punctures made in the heart of the little images which they procure for this purpose.  They address the images by the names of those whom they suppose them to represent, bidding them to requite their affection.  Married women are likewise provided with powders, which they rub over the heart of their husbands while asleep, in order to secure themselves against any infidelity.”

Hoffman says[239] of these same powders that they are held in great honor, and that their composition is a deep secret which is revealed to others only in return for high compensation.  Nootka maidens sometimes sprinkle love-powders into the food intended for their lovers, and await their coming.  The Menomini[240] have a charm called takosawos, “the powder that causes people to love one another.”  It is composed of vermilion and mica laminae, ground very fine and put into a thimble which is carried suspended from the neck or from some part of the wearing apparel.  It is also necessary to secure from the one whose inclination is to be won a hair, a nail-paring, or a small scrap of clothing, which must also be put into the thimble.

The Rev. Peter Jones says (155) that the Ojibway Indians have a charm made of red ochre and other ingredients, with which they paint their faces, believing it to possess a power so irresistible as to cause the object of their desire to love them.  But the moment this medicine is taken away, and the charm withdrawn, the person who before was almost frantic with love hates with a perfect hatred.  The Sioux also have great faith in spells.