Obeah
Obeah (also Obi ) is a common name in the West Indies for practices and life processes that are assigned to ethnic religions . The word "Obeah" probably comes from the Igbo (Nigeria) and is mainly used in relation to popular magic customs and rites, as well as in general to describe the religious practices of African origin that are common in the West Indian islands.
Origin of the Obeah
The contents and practices of the Obeah Faith were brought with them by the black Africans who were deported to the colonies on the West Indies during the centuries of slavery and passed on to their descendants. The origin and tradition of Obeah is thus identical to that of other ideas of the East American island world such as Voodoo , Hoodoo or Palo.
Spread of the obeah
Obeah is therefore common in almost all Caribbean countries, as well as in some areas of central and northern South America. The practice of obeah can be found in Jamaica , the Virgin Islands , Trinidad , Tobago , Guyana , Belize , the Bahamas, St. Vincent and Barbados, among others .
Variants of Obeah
Obeah exists in various forms which are mostly of a syncretic nature: Some mix African customs and black African cult activities with Christian elements of faith, others mix Obeah with Hindu elements.
Obeah men
The religious adepts or leaders of the Obeah are called Obeah men.