In some cultures, the good, the beautiful, and the prosperous are in danger of being cursed and losing it all. As we interact with others from other countries, we can keep an eye out for another version of the proverbial evil eye.
Joseph Polacco, in his biographical work which gives loving tribute to his mother, Vina, we find that his mother had such a severe headache that a concoction was mixed up and an elaborate oil and water test was used to determine if the ailment could be blamed on the malaccio.
To be able to deal with the malocchio, according to Sandy, involves reciting a special prayer, in Italian, in front of a church on Christmas Eve. Sandy does not now Sciacchitano, but her sister Vivian does, and so could become a practitioner…
Joseph describes a practitioner as something this side of a “strega” or witch–who would be more likely to cause the malocchio in the first place!
Another means of warding off the malocchio is to wear the “horn,” or corneto. The corneto looks like a golden child pepper…a pendant on hairy-chested goombahs.
I can only imagine these goombahs look like tough guys in the mafia.
When my daughter came on the scene, over forty years ago, a charming elderly guy in the ‘hood told Mom to pick up the “horn” in Little Italy–he made the horn sign with his thumb and pinky ’cause she was sure to attract the malocchio. However, Sandy’s kin had another pre-emptive measure: The grandma of her daughter’s boyfriend gave her a red ribbon to wear in her bra to ward off the “eye,” as did Sandy’s grandma on her own wedding day.
I don’t want to convey an assertion that the malik is an Italian invention; it is probably universal. I lived in both Colombia and Brazil, and folks feared the mal de ojo in the former and the mal-olhado or olho gordo in the latter. In both places, the fusion of African and Catholic rites has engendered a rich tradition, and trade, in repellents and cures.
Even as far as Mongolia, someone who cares about you may ask you to wear a pure silver ring to ward off all the nice things said about you. Have you encountered the evil eye in your travels?? How did the FEAR of the evil eye affect everyday life?
Persia and China and the Evil Eye
