what is obeah?

Answer 1

Obeah (sometimes spelled "Obi") is a term used in the West Indies to refer to folk magic, sorcery, and religious practices derived from Central African and West African origins. As such, Obeah is similar to Palo, Voodoo, Santeria , rootwork, and hoodoo. Obeah is practiced in Suriname, Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, Trinidad, Tobago, Guyana, Belize, the Bahamas and Barbados.

Obeah is associated with both black and white magic, charms, luck, and with mysticism in general. In some Caribbean nations Obeah refers to African diasporic folk religions with admixtures such as Hindu puja; in other areas, Christians may include elements of Obeah in their religion—Obeah is associated with the Spiritual Baptist church—and the word Obeah, although not the practice of Obeah, appears in a text associated with the religion of Thelema.

Answer 2

Obeah is a part of Jamaican folk culture. Before there were doctors people looked to obeah women and obeah men to treat them with herbs and magic. Once medical doctors appeared on the island their popularity deminished as obeah was no longer needed and now they are almost non existant. They mostly local color and are regarded as such by most Jamaicans.

Answer 3

n., pl. o·be·ahs also o·bis.

1. A form of religious belief of African origin, practiced in some parts of the West Indies, Jamaica, and nearby tropical America, involving sorcery.
2. An object, charm, or fetish used in the practice of this religion.

[Black and West Indian English, of West African origin; akin to Efik ubio, anything noxious, something put in the ground to cause sickness or death, bad omen.]