History of Magic in the American Continents
written by Wayah Barry
Shamans, medicine men, magical creatures, astronomy, divination. The influence of magic had strong impact on the communities that inhabited the continent pre-Columbus and continues to effect the magic community in America today. About the author: I am Eastern Band Cherokee and grew up hearing myths and stories of my tribe. This is my attempt to creatively tie my research of Native American mythology with the Harry Potter Universe. *This is not meant to offend anyone, it is purely fictional. I will respect the spiritual practices and beliefs of Native American tribes and be as factual as I can.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
12
Reads
787
The Real but Brief Native American History
Chapter 1
*Before reading this, know that Native Americans do not possess any sort of magic; that is a common, and very offensive stereotype. Now, in the world of Harry Potter, it will be assumed Native Americans have a magic community just as Europeans have a magic community. Please remember that this is a work of fiction and although I tried to be factual, a majority of this information is fiction or off somewhat untrustworthy website.*
Before Columbus discovered America, the indigenous communities that lived in the North and South American continents thrived. All across the hemisphere, hundreds, thousands of tribes lived and interacted with each other, each with different languages, cultures, and customs. Therefore, "Native American" is a broad term When the European settlers began to arrive however, tragedy struck as millions of indigenous people were killed through warfare, disease, and competition with the newcomers. Throughout the 1800's the warfare between the American frontiersmen and Native American communities escalated. Battles were fought, tribes were relocated across states under harsh conditions, and many communities along with their culture were destroyed or assimilated. Throughout the 1900's, attempts at assimilation continued through the use of boarding schools and more Eugenics-based means. The remaining communities however, are resilient and stand strong still today as efforts are made to reclaim culture and history.
So what does this have to do with magic?
The Native Americans were using very advanced magic long before Columbus sailed to the New World, which allowed the Old World magic communities to connect with and know of the Native American magic communities. They did not use wands, but their potion and herbology work was more complex than their European counterparts. Magic and non-magic Native Americans coexisted within tribes similar to their European counterparts before the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy of 1689, and were in many cases revered and held in positions of high esteem. For example, shamans and medicine men with magic or healing powers with herbology knowledge were among the tribal leaders and well respected. However, dark legends surrounded some magic communities. There are legends of mythical creatures that posed a threat to tribes across the continent different from the creatures found in Europe. Tribes from the Inuit communities in Alaska to the Aztec and Mayans in South America have legends and myths of dangerous magical creatures, some of which have yet to be rediscovered. The differences between Native American and European magic will be further discussed later, as well as the lasting impacts of Native American magic communities.
Before Columbus discovered America, the indigenous communities that lived in the North and South American continents thrived. All across the hemisphere, hundreds, thousands of tribes lived and interacted with each other, each with different languages, cultures, and customs. Therefore, "Native American" is a broad term When the European settlers began to arrive however, tragedy struck as millions of indigenous people were killed through warfare, disease, and competition with the newcomers. Throughout the 1800's the warfare between the American frontiersmen and Native American communities escalated. Battles were fought, tribes were relocated across states under harsh conditions, and many communities along with their culture were destroyed or assimilated. Throughout the 1900's, attempts at assimilation continued through the use of boarding schools and more Eugenics-based means. The remaining communities however, are resilient and stand strong still today as efforts are made to reclaim culture and history.
So what does this have to do with magic?
The Native Americans were using very advanced magic long before Columbus sailed to the New World, which allowed the Old World magic communities to connect with and know of the Native American magic communities. They did not use wands, but their potion and herbology work was more complex than their European counterparts. Magic and non-magic Native Americans coexisted within tribes similar to their European counterparts before the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy of 1689, and were in many cases revered and held in positions of high esteem. For example, shamans and medicine men with magic or healing powers with herbology knowledge were among the tribal leaders and well respected. However, dark legends surrounded some magic communities. There are legends of mythical creatures that posed a threat to tribes across the continent different from the creatures found in Europe. Tribes from the Inuit communities in Alaska to the Aztec and Mayans in South America have legends and myths of dangerous magical creatures, some of which have yet to be rediscovered. The differences between Native American and European magic will be further discussed later, as well as the lasting impacts of Native American magic communities.
