Muriel Umutessi, known as the black sorceress, was brought from Africa as an adolescent; slave, then soldier, then laundress, she became the right hand of la Viña at the Pulpería de la Viña in the south.
| Type | Character |
| Spouse | Farucho / Farouche |
| Spanish entry | Muriel Umutessi |
History
Her mistress let her enlist in exchange for the service earning her freedom papers. After some years she left and became “one of so many laundresses of the south in the very post-independence period”, then joined la Viña and rose to be her right hand.
Beliefs
She “believes deeply in her ancestors and in the spiritist religions”, in a “syncretism between the Catholic deities and the deities of Africa”. She is said to be able, “in a fight, to throw a curse or a blessing on someone”. When la Viña needed to speak with Farouche’s spirit, she asked Muriel.
Relationships
- Farucho / Farouche (both spellings occur), her husband. She has not seen him in sixteen or seventeen years and has dreamed of him constantly for a month.
- A former grenadier who knew demolitions; whether he is Farucho is not stated.
- Pepe, met at the pulpería, beside whom she fought masorqueros.
- She was summoned to a meeting room with Lord Ponsbury and others on a list.
Open questions
- Whether she received her papers, and how she left the army.
- Her appearance, age, dress and voice; what she cures outside combat and for what pay.
- What the list was, and what Lord Ponsbury wanted.
- Whether the semi-mulata of la Viña who tends the wounded is Muriel or another ally.