Abstract

CARRASCO, Iván Renato. Obeah en Belice: un sistema de creencias que se niegan a desaparecer en el Caribe. memorias [online]. 2018, n.36, pp.146-168. ISSN 1794-8886.  https://doi.org/10.14482/memor.36.133.43.

Obeah encompasses a wide variety of beliefs and practices that involve the control and channeling of supernatural and spiritual forces, usually for social benefit, in extreme cases can treat diseases, bring good fortune, protect against harm and avenge against evils. Obeah was used to pressure the Europeans during the period of slavery a more positive role in the slaves in colonial times, colonial officials, local white elites and their ideological allies exaggerated obeah's antisocial dimensions, minimizing or ignoring their Positive functions. This negative interpretation many accept it to varying degrees although the positive attributes of obeah are still recognized in most parts of the English-speaking Caribbean. Obeah incorporates two basic categories of practice: good and bad magic as well as healing practices based on using elements of the natural world. Obeah was part of the displaced Africans who could count on healing and protection. Obeah is a client-practitioner relationship, with the affected subject seeking the help of the obeah man or woman on an individual basis.

Keywords : Obeah; Obeah-man; Sasabonsam; Duppies; Old Higue.

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