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Obeah is one of the Caribbean's oldest Afro-Creole faiths. Its name is derived from the Ashanti terms Obay-ifo or Obeye, which indicate wizard or witch, respectively. The Ashantis, also known as Koromantyn Africans, came from the gold coast, and since they were supposed to be prone to revolt and witchcraft, the Spanish and French avoided bringing them in as slaves. Obeah is therefore limited to the British West Indies, with variants in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Obeah, according to Margarite Fernandez-Omos and Lizbeth Paravisini-Gerbert, "is not so much a religion as a system of ideas founded in Creole conceptions of spirituality, which recognizes the existence and power of the supernatural realm." Furthermore, Obeah combines two primary types of practice: good and evil spells, and healing procedures based on the usage of natural world materials. Having one of their own for healing and protection was frequently a source of consolation for displaced Africans. However, British descriptions of Obeah during the colonial period portray it as threatening to white plantation owners, and its usage was prohibited in many British territories. Obeah is primarily a client-practitioner interaction, with the affected person seeking individual assistance from the Obeah man or woman. Modern historians think that Obeah began with the Ashanti and Koromantin tribes of Africa's Gold Coast and that it was carried to the Caribbean by imported slaves as early as the mid-17th century. Regardless of whether it was used for 'evil' or 'good,' the Obeah men were regarded with the highest reverence and dread by anyone who came into contact with him. From the commencement of the slave trade, the Obeah man and woman played an important role in Caribbean slave cultures. They served as community leaders and cultural heritage instructors for the African people. Many Africans thought that the Obeah man has the capacity to make someone indestructible, resurrect the dead, cure all ailments, protect a man from the repercussions of his actions, and bring immense harm to anybody he pleased. The most potent talent of the Obeah man, however, was not his capacity to take people's shadows, as the act of obeah or "hexing" was defined, but his detailed knowledge of medicines and poisons. In the Caribbean plantations, the term Obeah also evoked the word "poison," as this was the favoured and most successful instrument that this practitioner of "magic" had at his disposal. The Obeah man was able to "miraculously" cure or poison (obeah) a person to death by using plants and medication. Given the development and practices (bloodletting) of "modern" European medicine at the time, an ill individual had a considerably better chance of life if he sought treatment from an Obeah man rather than a white practitioner. Many outsiders regard Obeah as a type of "black magic," and it does rely largely on the existence of the supernatural. Ancestry is important because touch with the spiritual realm can aid people with healing and justice issues. Since its inception, the religion has sparked much debate, and its legalization has resulted in a more private, business-like approach to consulting the spirits; people will contact an Obeah man or woman, in the same way, they would a doctor or a psychic, and rituals will be performed to assist that person with their specific problems. Although few people in the cities believe in Obeah, practitioners must travel to Kingston to stock up on the potions and materials they require. Most of the usual items are available for purchase from one tiny pharmacist in downtown Kingston. However, there are some startling goods on the back shelves: rows of candles, soaps and sprays labeled "go away evil," as well as potions that purport to either attract a new spouse or prevent a current one from departing. The Obeah Man provides Obeah services in the USA, Canada, Australia, Africa, Jamaica, New Zealand and other parts of the world. Visit the website now and learn more!
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