Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Obeah incorporates both spell-casting and healing practices, largely of African origin, [2] although with European and South Asian influences as well. [3] It is found primarily in the former British colonies of the Caribbean, [2] namely Suriname, Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, Trinidad, Tobago, Guyana, Belize, the Bahamas, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Barbados. [4]
Voodoos and Obeahs is a book by Joseph J. Williams published in 1932. Williams later wrote a companion book, Psychic Phenomena of Jamaica. The book examines the history of voodoo and obeah in the Caribbean, specifically Jamaica and Haiti, traces them back to their roots in Africa and discusses the influence imperialism, slavery and racism had on their development.
Also the mantras and spells; the obeah and the wanga; the work of the wand and the work of the sword; these he shall learn and teach. (AL I:37). [1] Obeah is a folk magic found among those of African descent in the West Indies. It is derived from the Asante people of west Africa. Its English translation is witchcraft, from the Twi dialect word ...
Edwards's History of the British Colonies in the West Indies, published in 1793, reports the best account of obeah in Jamaica. The term obeah or obia has become a popular term in Jamaica used to describe Africans on the island that practice witchcraft. It is considered to be a practice of supernatural craft, learned through connection with the ...
To expose a soucouyant, it is believed one should heap rice around their house or at the village crossroads; the creature will be obligated to gather the rice, grain by grain, and be caught in the act. [8] To destroy one, coarse salt must be placed in the mortar with the stripped-off skin so that she perishes, unable to put it back on.
In addition, they banned the West African religious practices of obeah. [48] [49] The movement did not end there, as other rebellions broke out all over Jamaica, many of which were rightly or wrongly attributed to Tacky's cunning and strategy. Others learned of Tacky's revolt, which inspired further unrest and disorder throughout the island.
Cubah Cornwallis (died 1848) (often spelled Coubah, Couba, Cooba or Cuba a slave name variant of the Twi day name Akua meaning a girl born on Wednesday) was a nurse or "doctress" and Obeah woman who lived in the colony of Jamaica during the late 18th and 19th century.
Igbo culture influenced Jamaican spirituality with the introduction of Obeah folk magic; accounts of enslaved "Eboe" being "obeahed" by each other have been documented by plantation owners. [6] However, there is some suggestion that the word "Obeah" was also used by enslaved Akan people, before Igbos arrived in Jamaica. [9]