African magic

African magic is the form, development, and performance of magic within the culture and society of Africa and the diaspora.

## Contents

* 1 Meaning of the word magic
* 1.1 In relation to witchcraft
* 1.2 Comparison to religion
* 2 Types
* 3 Roles
* 3.1 Medicine men
* 3.2 Divinator
* 3.3 Rain-maker
* 3.4 Priest-magician
* 4 Anti-roles
* 4.1 Sorcerers
* 5 See also
* 6 References

## Meaning of the word magic

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

Further information: Azande witchcraft, Witchcraft in Ghana, and Witchcraft accusations against children in Africa

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

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

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

The traditional roles related to and of magic in African society is medicine-man, divinator, rain-maker,[7] and priest-magician.[2]

### Medicine men

These are at the simplest understanding people who function within a tribal setting as herbalists.[7]

### Divinator

### Rain-maker

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

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

### Sorcerers

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

* Traditional African religions

## References

1. ↑ J. Ki-Zerbo (1990). Methodology and African Prehistory, Volume 92, Issues 3-102588. James Currey Publishers. p. 63. ISBN 085255091X. https://books.google.com/books?id=LNlt1AnERAIC&dq=African+Magic&pg=PA63. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Molefi Kete Asanti (2008-11-26). Encyclopedia of African Religion. SAGE Publications. ISBN 978-1506317861. https://books.google.com/books?id=uMv0CAAAQBAJ&dq=African+Magic&pg=PT548. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
3. ↑ 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. https://books.google.com/books?id=EPHTAwAAQBAJ&dq=African+medicine+man+magic&pg=PA27. Retrieved 2015-12-26. Volume 306 of European studies on Christian origins
4. ↑ Publication details [Retrieved 2015-12-26]
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 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. https://books.google.com/books?id=Wiwo5uwBzXAC&dq=African+Magic&pg=PA19. Retrieved 2015-12-26. Volume 4 of Modernity and belonging
6. ↑ M. Konaté Deme (Western Michigan University) (2010-09-13). Heroism and the Supernatural in the African Epic. Routledge. ISBN 978-1136932649. https://books.google.com/books?id=GQXHBQAAQBAJ&dq=African+Magic&pg=PT38. Retrieved 2015-12-26. African Studies
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 J.S. Mbiti (1990). African Religions & Philosophy. Heinemann. p. 193. ISBN 0435895915. https://books.google.com/books?id=eTUpo9lH-fYC&dq=African+Magic&pg=PA189. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
8. ↑ T. Andrews (2000). Dictionary of Nature Myths: Legends of the Earth, Sea, and Sky. Oxford University Press. p. 159. ISBN 0195136772. https://books.google.com/books?id=7jS65aClvFEC&dq=African+rain-maker+magic&pg=PA159. Retrieved 2015-12-26.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 personnel of U.S. Department of the Army (1986 - 1998). Sudan. Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. http://countrystudies.us/sudan/50.htm. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
10. ↑ Kenya Institute of Education. History and Government Form One. Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. p. 48. ISBN 9789966252111. https://books.google.com/books?id=Yx6qLPZHyK0C. Retrieved 2017-01-12.

0.00

(0 votes)

Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African magic. Read more

|

Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Unsolved:African_magic&oldid=3263821"