African magic
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African magic is the form, development, and performance of magic within the culture and society of Africa and the diaspora.
Meaning of the word magic[edit]
The word magic might simply be understood as denoting management of forces, which, as an activity, is not weighted morally and is accordingly a neutral activity from the start of a magical practice, but by the will of the magician, is thought to become and to have an outcome which represents either good or bad (evil).[1][2]
Ancient African culture was in the habit customarily of always discerning difference between magic, and a group of other things, which are not magic, these things were medicine, divination, witchcraft and sorcery.[3]
In relation to witchcraft[edit]
E.K. Bongmba finds Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic among the Azande by Evans-Pritchard (published 1937 [4]) responsible for a reduction in appreciation of the value of magic as a definite subject of study.[5] Peter Pels (1998) posits failing in thought similarly stemming from a mis-aligned focus on the negative aspect of witchcraft representing the totum of magic.[5]
Comparison to religion[edit]
Opinion differs on how religion and magic are related to each other with respect to development, or which developed from which. Some think they developed together from a shared origin; some think religion developed from magic; and others think magic developed from religion.[6]
Types[edit]
There are two types of magic, good, or magic which is used to do well and enhance well-being, and bad, which is magic used to do harm or wrong or evil.[7]
Roles[edit]
The traditional roles related to and of magic in African society is medicine-man, divinator, rain-maker,[7] and priest-magician.[2]
Medicine men[edit]
These are at the simplest understanding people who function within a tribal setting as herbalists.[7]
Divinator[edit]
Rain-maker[edit]
Rain-makers are thought to possess magical powers, although they possess these powers because they (the powers) are given them by the sky God or the Great Spirit. Rain-making is something which requires both religion and magic.[8]
Priest-magician[edit]
The priest-magician must grasp reality in many ways; understand the nature of climate, the forms of energy of the universe, the functions of material objects.[2] The priest-magician controls forces of nature, and in doing this therefore has to understand how control of forces impacts upon perception and the human consciousness and minds of people.[2] He or she fulfills his or her role by exercising the intellect and discerning a way forward while under the possession or control of a spirit or force of a divinity, to which he or she is a servant.[2]
Anti-roles[edit]
Sorcerers[edit]
With particular reference to people dwelling within the Southern areas of Sudan, [9][10] individuals who are found to have been stricken with illness or misfortune are sometimes identified as having succumbed to the influence of sorcerers.[9]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ J. Ki-Zerbo (1990). Methodology and African Prehistory, Volume 92, Issues 3-102588. James Currey Publishers. p. 63. ISBN 085255091X. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
- ^ a b c d e Molefi Kete Asanti (2008-11-26). Encyclopedia of African Religion. SAGE Publications. ISBN 978-1506317861. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
- ^ Dr. M. Labahn (Martin-Luther University) (2007). A Kind of Magic: Understanding Magic in the New Testament and Its Religious Environment. A&C Black. p. 28. ISBN 978-0567030757. Retrieved 2015-12-26.Volume 306 of European studies on Christian origins
- ^ Publication details [Retrieved 2015-12-26]
- ^ a b E.K. Bongmba (J. Kiernan) (2006). The Power of the Occult in Modern Africa: Continuity and Innovation in the Renewal of African Cosmologies. LIT Verlag Münster. p. 19. ISBN 3825887618. Retrieved 2015-12-26.Volume 4 of Modernity and belonging
- ^ M. Konaté Deme (Western Michigan University) (2010-09-13). Heroism and the Supernatural in the African Epic. Routledge. ISBN 978-1136932649. Retrieved 2015-12-26.African Studies
- ^ a b c J.S. Mbiti (1990). African Religions & Philosophy. Heinemann. p. 193. ISBN 0435895915. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
- ^ T. Andrews (2000). Dictionary of Nature Myths: Legends of the Earth, Sea, and Sky. Oxford University Press. p. 159. ISBN 0195136772. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
- ^ a b personnel of U.S. Department of the Army (1986 - 1998). Sudan. Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Kenya Institute of Education. History and Government Form One. Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. p. 48. ISBN 9789966252111. Retrieved 2017-01-12.