African Magic

African Magic
Author: Heidi Holland
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Total Pages: 207
Release: 2012-09-26
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0143527851

Africa's traditional beliefs - including ancestor worship, divination and witchcraft - continue to dominate its spiritual influences. Readers in search of a better understanding of the continent will be enriched by this book's timely exploration of sub-Saharan Africa's natural philosophy. The author's meticulous research reveals that, whereas technology-driven Western societies prefer to rely largely on logical explanations, many Africans continue to obey their intuition - trusting in images, dreams and divination to rationalise misfortune and illness. African Magic explains why so many Africans understand the relationship between people and unfortunate events not through the Western concept of chance in the case of accidents, or germ theory in the case of illness, but through belief in witchcraft. The book records a collection of true stories which illustrate this traditional belief system. Included are the famous Malawian diviner whose prophecies were considered so accurate that people flocked from neighbouring countries to consult him; a group of Western-trained Mozambican psychologists who successfully refined cross-cultural therapy by working with traditional healers to combat post-traumatic stress syndrome among child soldiers; Ghanaian and Zimbabwean 'witches' living in a nightmare world where popular belief becomes their reality; and a Zambian archbishop whose attempt to embrace traditional African beliefs provoked serious conflict within his Christian church.

Black Magic

Black Magic
Author: Yvonne P. Chireau
Publisher: Univ of California Press
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2006-11-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 0520249887

Black Magic looks at the origins, meaning, and uses of Conjure—the African American tradition of healing and harming that evolved from African, European, and American elements—from the slavery period to well into the twentieth century. Illuminating a world that is dimly understood by both scholars and the general public, Yvonne P. Chireau describes Conjure and other related traditions, such as Hoodoo and Rootworking, in a beautifully written, richly detailed history that presents the voices and experiences of African Americans and shows how magic has informed their culture. Focusing on the relationship between Conjure and Christianity, Chireau shows how these seemingly contradictory traditions have worked together in a complex and complementary fashion to provide spiritual empowerment for African Americans, both slave and free, living in white America. As she explores the role of Conjure for African Americans and looks at the transformations of Conjure over time, Chireau also rewrites the dichotomy between magic and religion. With its groundbreaking analysis of an often misunderstood tradition, this book adds an important perspective to our understanding of the myriad dimensions of human spirituality.

Santería

Santería
Author: Migene González-Wippler
Publisher:
Total Pages: 392
Release: 1989
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN:

When the Yorubas of West Africa were brought to Cuba as slaves, they preserved their heritage by worshiping secretly. The resulting religion, Santeria, is controversial for its ceremonies including animal sacrifice. This book clears many misunderstandings held by those outside the Santeria community. 75 photos.

The Magic Doll

The Magic Doll
Author: Adrienne Yabouza
Publisher: National Geographic Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2020-09-08
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 379137446X

Families of all kinds will appreciate this simple tale of love and longing, motherhood and magic. In a small village in West Africa, a young girl explains the special way she was born. Her mother had difficulty getting pregnant, so she seeks help in the form of a doll which she treats like a human baby, carrying it on her back and covering it with kisses. Months go by and finally the woman's belly begins to grow! This beautiful story explores the Akua-Ba fertility figures of the Akan people of Ghana, while also depicting the deep love a mother has for her children. Élodie Nouhen's subtle, gorgeous illustrations combine collage and prints that are reminiscent of traditional African art, while remaining uniquely contemporary. Each spread communicates the look and feel of West Africa--the blazing yellow of the sun, the deep blue of the sky, the richly patterned textiles, and vibrant flora and fauna. Adrienne Yabouza's text echoes the rhythms of life in her homeland--the Central African Republic. The book closes with a short introduction to African art and the importance of fertility statues in African cultures.

Seven African Powers

Seven African Powers
Author: Monique Joiner Siedlak
Publisher: Oshun Publications, LLC
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2023-05-28
Genre: Body, Mind & Spirit
ISBN: 1956319956

Updated 2023 The Seven African Powers, also known as the Orishas, are spirits from the Supreme Creator in African religion. These spirits are thought to give guidance for life issues and problems. Modern Santeria, Voodoo, and other Caribbean traditions still value this practice today. It can be found in different South American cultures as well. This book will guide you through learning about the Seven African Powers…who they are, what they represent, and how each has a different temperament. You’ll also know how the Orishas can be used in your home and daily routine. Once you discover the Orishas, you’ll be on your way to understanding which one will best help you work through difficulties and move forward in life.

Black Magic

Black Magic
Author: Chad Sanders
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2022-02-08
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1982104236

A “daring, urgent, and transformative” (Brené Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Dare to Lead) exploration of Black achievement in a white world based on honest, provocative, and moving interviews with Black leaders, scientists, artists, activists, and champions. “I remember the day I realized I couldn’t play a white guy as well as a white guy. It felt like a death sentence for my career.” When Chad Sanders landed his first job in lily-white Silicon Valley, he quickly concluded that to be successful at work meant playing a certain social game. Each meeting was drenched in white slang and the privileged talk of international travel or folk concerts in San Francisco, which led Chad to believe he needed to emulate whiteness to be successful. So Chad changed. He changed his wardrobe, his behavior, his speech—everything that connected him with his Black identity. And while he finally felt included, he felt awful. So he decided to give up the charade. He reverted to the methods he learned at the dinner table, or at the Black Baptist church where he’d been raised, or at the concrete basketball courts, barbershops, and summertime cookouts. And it paid off. Chad began to land more exciting projects. He earned the respect of his colleagues. Accounting for this turnaround, Chad believes, was something he calls Black Magic, namely resilience, creativity, and confidence forged in his experience navigating America as a Black man. Black Magic has emboldened his every step since, leading him to wonder: Was he alone in this discovery? Were there others who felt the same? In “pulverizing, educational, and inspirational” (Shea Serrano, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Basketball (And Other Things)) essays, Chad dives into his formative experiences to see if they might offer the possibility of discovering or honing this skill. He tests his theory by interviewing Black leaders across industries to get their take on Black Magic. The result is a revelatory and essential book. Black Magic explores Black experiences in predominantly white environments and demonstrates the risks of self-betrayal and the value of being yourself.

Black Magic

Black Magic
Author: Dinah Johnson
Publisher: Macmillan
Total Pages: 44
Release: 2010-01-19
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 0805078339

Presents a poem celebrating the African-American experience and what it means to be part of a strong, proud, and free people.

Sacred Leaves of Candomblé

Sacred Leaves of Candomblé
Author: Robert A. Voeks
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Total Pages: 260
Release: 2010-01-01
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0292773854

Winner, Hubert Herring Book Award, Pacific Coast Council on Latin American Studies Candomblé, an African religious and healing tradition that spread to Brazil during the slave trade, relies heavily on the use of plants in its spiritual and medicinal practices. When its African adherents were forcibly transplanted to the New World, they faced the challenge not only of maintaining their culture and beliefs in the face of European domination but also of finding plants with similar properties to the ones they had used in Africa. This book traces the origin, diffusion, medicinal use, and meaning of Candomblé's healing pharmacopoeia—the sacred leaves. Robert Voeks examines such topics as the biogeography of Africa and Brazil, the transference—and transformation—of Candomblé as its adherents encountered both native South American belief systems and European Christianity, and the African system of medicinal plant classification that allowed Candomblé to survive and even thrive in the New World. This research casts new light on topics ranging from the creation of African American cultures to tropical rain forest healing floras.

The Book of Ceremonial Magic

The Book of Ceremonial Magic
Author: Arthur Edward Waite
Publisher: tredition
Total Pages: 654
Release: 2022-04-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3347633849

The Book of Ceremonial Magic - Arthur Edward Waite - The Book of Ceremonial Magic by Arthur Edward Waite was originally called The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts. It was first published in a limited run in 1898, and distributed more widely under the title The Book of Ceremonial Magic in 1910Writing in the late 19th century, Waite had studiously researched many obscure tenets of magic. Much of this book concerns the obscure occult tomes, which the author condenses and presents to readers in this single volume. Waite's studies uncover a variety of knowledge; there are thousands of spells and rituals that date back to Medieval times and have a theological basis. Many exist to ward off devils, witches or other evil phenomena, while others seek to conjure beneficent spirits. Another intriguing aspect of ceremonial magic is the ability to form pacts with supernatural beings. These rituals in themselves act to compel supernatural entities to assist a human being; none of them involve offering one's soul. However, many require one or more materials and ingredients to begin - grave dust or a certain plant for instance. Waite disapproves of those who reprint and sell the older magical grimoires for two principle reasons. Firstly the quality of the English translations is low, often proscribing completely different instructions and requisites for a given ritual than was given in the original source text. Secondly these books make no distinction between 'white' or 'black' magic; such lack of organization makes it difficult for the modern reader to distinguish the practices. Over 150 symbols, seals, insignia, charts and other illustrations populate this text, each offering insight into how the magician correctly undertakes his tasks. Waite includes many scripts that the performer of magic must read out loud as he attempts to conjure, summon or communicate with forces from other planes of existence.