By Erewunmi Peace

In 1556, a woman from the
coast of present-day Ghana was forcibly taken to Portugal to stand trial for practicing traditional medicine — a case that highlights the deep cultural and religious conflicts of the colonial era.

Mónica Fernandes, an Akan woman, was accused before the Portuguese Inquisition in Lisbon after she used an Indigenous remedy to treat a cat bite. Instead of relying on the European apothecary system, Mónica applied a mix of herbs, chickens, and yam-based treatments, which was customary in her community.

Her actions, however, were interpreted by Portuguese authorities as witchcraft and a pact with demons. In colonial Catholic doctrine, Indigenous healing practices were often criminalized and labeled as sorcery rather than recognized as legitimate medicine.

Despite being declared guilty of witchcraft, Mónica did not receive a death sentence. Instead, the court sentenced her to religious re-education in Lisbon, after which she was released under strict conditions that prevented her from returning to Ghana.

Historians note that Mónica’s case is significant because it illustrates how colonial powers sought to suppress African knowledge systems while enforcing European religious and cultural dominance. Her story remains a stark reminder of the injustices faced by African women during the early encounters between Europe and West Africa.