When studying witchcraft in African civilizations, such as in the Nupe society, one must keep in mind that the concept of witchcraft, more specifically the idea of a supernatural power, used entirely for evil and anti-social purposes, which with man becomes possessed, is very openly identified in the minds of their citizens. This notion, however, should not be confused with their accepted beliefs in magic, magico-religious rites, spirits, ghosts, and the application of ‘magical substances,’ known in our culture as medicine, because these concepts are distinctly separated from the witchcraft described in this paper. That is, the evil craft used as a means of killing and torture, which is immeasurable by typical moral and social standards. The first, and most distinct characteristic of witchcraft in the Nupe society is that women are the main practitioners. When a woman wants to become a witch, she must merely seek out a known female witch, ideally the official head of witches, who, “without any complicated initiation, she soon becomes a witch herself (Nadel, 429.
She was arrested and tried for practicing witchcraft because of her American Indian decent. Seen as “Devil worshipers” American Indians were perceived as being familiar with occult practices (536). This stereotype left Tituba with no control of her situation and fearful for her life. Tituba’s ethnic background left her victim to stereotypes that previous to her confession, would have most likely only sealed her dooming fate. Luckily, Tituba was able to use her knowledge of African, American Indian and English folklore to her advantage, diverting the attention away from her socially and geographically.
The play of Macbeth was set in the reign of two different monarchs these were Elizabeth I and James I. Both of these Monarchs had different views upon the occult and witchcraft, which was one of the justifications used for Lady Macbeth being damaged and disturbed. Elizabeth I believed in witchcraft and believed there was nothing wrong with it. However, James I was of the opposite opinion, as he believed that whoever was found guilty of witchcraft should be burnt or hung. This shows the contrast in opinions of witchcraft as not everybody believed it was wrong and should be punished.
Voice of Freedom March 20, 2013 Voice of Freedom Introduction In chapter 15 it deals a lot with resistance to slavery and of course one of these was the best known of all slave rebellions which involved was Nat Turner, who happened to be a slave preacher. This chapter was also devoted in describing the conspiracies that went into the uprisings and the rebellions that actually changed the face of slavery. This chapter gave a very vivid detail in exploring what went on behind the scenes in regards to these revolts coming together. With that said, this essay will explore this chapter and talk about the significance of the voice of freedom. Section One: General Questions After the Civil War, the definitions of freedom
Black witchcraft was believed to be inherited from the female side as women were seen as inferior to men and more likely to fall to temptation to the devil, for example 90% of those charged were women. A common charge for black witches was for bringing harm to people or property that they made possible by making a pact with Satan and having access to his invisible power. Those who were charged with witchcraft were often not random accusations but more an excuse to victimise women who were seen as "different" within that community, and over 50% of those charged were acquitted. However witches could be acquitted alive or dead as many tests
Slavery is the smudge that cannot be forgotten in the American history. The slaves were brought from their native Africa and forced to work in the plantations in the South. They stripped out from their human rights because they were considered as properties to their owners. In this paper, I'll try to name some female writers who contributed in the abolitionist movement and how their works raised an awareness around people about the savagery of slavery. The writers are Lydia Maria Child, Angelina and Sarah Grimké, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
A lot of African Americans are very religious and spiritual and their religion and spirituality have a big impact on their life. Arnold R. Eiser and Glenn Ellis in their article Viewpoint: Cultural Competence and the African American Experience with Health Care: The Case for Specific Content in Cross- Cultural Education state, “Many African Americans have a deep sense of spirituality, and this spiritualism is intertwined with other aspects of their lives, including health. Traditional African American folk beliefs concerning health and illness focus on herbal remedies and magical aspects of illness that invoke spiritual components, including hexes, roots and divine displeasure of people or their offspring” (p. 177) Through personal experience I can attest to this statement. In the traditional beliefs of certain places in Africa, going to a medicine man to receive herbal remedies comes before seeking out medical care at a facility. This belief and way of life has followed the culture to America and some people still choose to seek out alternative ways of healing before receiving western medical care.
When most people think of witches, you think of the Salem witch trials, evil, and Satan. Or on the other side you think of the old woman with green skin and warts on her face. In fact, this is the very thought that came to my mind before someone explained to me about what Wiccans are and what they believe. In doing so I have found that Wiccans are not only different than what most religions make them out to be but the exact opposite. I found that the group of friends I have who are Wiccan celebrate life and worship the Triple Goddess who is the symbol of virginity, fertility, wisdom and encompasses love.
Because of the history of this large continent, which includes the forceful transplanting of the people into slavery on other continents, many of the same folk tales exist in North America, South America, and the West Indies. These are told with little variation, for the tales were spread by word of mouth and were kept among the African population. In addition to the folk tales, there are myths, legends, many proverbs, tongue twisters, and riddles. Anansi Anansi, the Spider, is one of the major trickster figures in African folk tales. This spider can be wise, foolish, amusing, or even lazy--but always there is a lesson to be learned from Anansi.
African Folklore and its Importance in America Almost every oral tradition in the world has trickster figures, and African American culture is no exception. Tricksters dominate the folk tradition that peoples of African descent developed in the United States, especially those tales Trickster figures, present in every oral tradition, are weak, often amoral, characters who outsmart stronger opponents. Many were influenced by African folk tradition, landscape, and wildlife. Though trickster tales in African American culture are frequently a source of humor, they also contain serious commentary on the inequities of existence in a country where the promises of democracy were denied to a large portion of the citizenry, a pattern that becomes even clearer in the literary adaptations of trickster figures. As the African- American people who were enslaved gained literacy and began to write about their experiences, they incorporated figures from oral tradition into their written creations.