I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem

novel by Condé

Also known as: “Moi, Tituba, sorcière—: noire de Salem”

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July 22, 2026

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The novel "I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" by Maryse Condé is a fictionalized account of the life of Tituba, an enslaved Indigenous woman who was the first person accused of witchcraft during the 1692 Salem witch trials.12

Tituba's confession, made under duress, saved her life but fueled the witch hunt. While historical records offer few personal details, Condé's novel explores Tituba's experiences, drawing on historical context and popular interpretations of her story. The novel reimagines her life, including her origins and her role in the events that led to the tragic trials.132

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Maryse Condé
…sorcière—: noire de Salem (1986; I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem) is based on the story of an enslaved woman who was tried for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. In 1986 Condé returned to live in Guadeloupe, where La Vie scélérate (1987; Tree of Life) is set.
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…sorcière—: noire de Salem (1986; I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem) is based on the story of an enslaved woman who was tried for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. In 1986 Condé returned to live in Guadeloupe, where La Vie scélérate (1987; Tree of Life) is set.
Read More