Growing up in a West Indian influenced household I remember hearing numerous folklores and sayings about superstitions and such. My husband experienced the same, but I believe more than me because he lived in Puerto Rico for a part of his childhood. Santería and Obeah magic were common place in our lives so when my wonderful coworker, Alex, who is of Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry gifted Baby Cruz a beautiful gold Azabache Bracelet with a monogrammed name plate we were not surprised.
In Latin America, Azabache Bracelets are worn to protect against the Mal de ojo, or evil eye. The evil eye is believed to result of excessive admiration or envious looks by others. Having newborn babies wear an azabache (a gold bracelet or necklace with a black or red coral charm in the form of a fist), is believed to protect them from the evil eye.
The evil eye is a folk belief that the envy elicited by the good luck of fortunate people may result in their misfortune, whether it is envy of material possessions including livestock, or of beauty, health, or offspring.
Baby Cruz will be covered in the banishment of evil spirits department. Now if only I could find a stroller.
