The mystical nutmeg curse is a mystical legend that surrounds the spice known as nutmeg. According to the legend, nutmeg possesses magical properties that can bring about both fortune and misfortune to those who possess it. The curse is said to have originated in the Banda Islands of Indonesia, where nutmeg has been cultivated for centuries. The curse is said to occur when someone possesses an excessive amount of nutmeg or abuses its powers. It is believed that the curse brings about a series of unfortunate events in the person's life, such as financial ruin, health problems, and strained relationships. Some even claim that the curse can result in untimely death.
12:00 | Young people from rural backgrounds are drawn to cities, away from farming
Ghosh s non-fiction reads as much more lucid and obstacle-free than academic offerings that usually fail in communicating a call to action that would cement a collective response to crisis. In the wake of these conquistadors and traders came extermination by stealth, as imported European diseases decimated the indigenous populations of the Americas, Australia, the Pacific Islands and elsewhere.
Some even claim that the curse can result in untimely death. While the mystical nutmeg curse may seem far-fetched to some, there are numerous superstitions and stories that support its existence. For example, sailors in the 18th and 19th centuries believed that carrying nutmeg with them would bring good luck and protect them from harm.
The Nutmeg’s Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis by Amitav Ghosh
The fall of a lamp in the early 17th century, in the village of Selamon in a far-flung island archipelago of Banda in Indonesia, results in the wholesale destruction of a people and their way of life. With this ‘butterfly moment’, Amitav Ghosh raises the curtain upon a tale of perfidy and murder, revenge and war, conquests and defeats, riches, slavery, magic and sacrifice. A tragedy on a global scale. A world war spanning centuries, leaving no one unscathed.
It is a tale of humanity’s struggle with itself for the ever-elusive prize, at once of power and possessions – now dressed as spices, now as territories for grazing and agriculture, now as energy for industry and commerce to be extracted as timber, coal, oil and gas – only to discover that their adversary and the resistance to this urge, is ultimately ‘no other’ than itself. In fact Ghosh’s pen reveals that each slash of the conqueror’s blade – be it sword, plough or chainsaw, bulldozer or drill bit – generates a karmic response from its victim, the Earth, which retaliates with the destructive potential of what he calls ‘hidden forces’ through ‘climatic events of unprecedented and uncanny violence’. (p. 257)
But The Nutmeg’s Curse is no fiction. Ghosh is well known for revealing the darker side of British colonialism through the medium of the historical novel, notably in the Ibis Trilogy. [1] But here he presents us with the facts. Detailed in nineteen extensively annotated chapters, each replete with stories layered upon stories, he time-travels the reader back and forth across the globe, connecting information and diagnosing our current malaise, revealing an avaricious virus ever-mutating throughout our planet’s social history.
In some ways, the book is a summary of the prelude to the end of days – the great Armageddon that now awaits should this seemingly unstoppable juggernaut of destruction not become sated, stopped in its tracks and diverted. At the same time Ghosh proposes, if not exactly solutions, at least some alternative paths that humanity in the modern era has for the most part either bypassed, or simply out of unbridled desire to control the material of creation, blatantly refused to acknowledge, or actively attempted to block.
Banda Neira, one of the islands of the Banda archipelago, in ca.1724, when it was under Dutch rule. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons
However, they also believed that if they possessed too much nutmeg at once, they would be cursed with a storm or shipwreck. In addition to its curse, nutmeg is also believed to possess various magical properties. It is said to enhance psychic abilities, promote healing, and attract wealth and abundance. Many people use nutmeg in rituals and spells to bring about their desired outcomes. Whether you believe in the mystical nutmeg curse or not, it is clear that nutmeg holds a special place in folklore and superstition. It has a long history of being associated with both good fortune and misfortune. So the next time you use nutmeg in your cooking or encounter it in a recipe, remember the mystical legends that surround this seemingly harmless spice..
Reviews for "The Nutmeg Curse: Historical Incidents and Folklore"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The mystical nutmeg curse" as it seemed like a unique and intriguing story. However, I found the plot to be confusing and lacking depth. The characters were underdeveloped and didn't evoke any emotions in me. The writing style felt disjointed and the pacing was all over the place. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and cannot recommend it.
2. David - 3 stars - While "The mystical nutmeg curse" had an interesting concept, the execution fell flat. The story had a lot of potential, but it felt rushed and poorly constructed. The dialogue was awkward and stilted, making it hard to connect with the characters. Additionally, the ending was predictable and unsatisfying. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to them.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I really struggled to get through "The mystical nutmeg curse". The writing was mediocre at best, with clichéd descriptions and repetitive phrases. The characters lacked depth and the story felt like it was going in circles. The supposed twists and turns were predictable and left me feeling unimpressed. Overall, this book was a letdown and I would not recommend it to others.
4. John - 1 star - I couldn't finish reading "The mystical nutmeg curse" as it was just too dull for my taste. The story dragged on, and the writing style was monotonous. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I couldn't find any reason to care about their journey. The plot was unoriginal and lacked any real substance. I regret wasting my time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone.