Mumbo Jumbo was an African God , why do so many people of all creeds still believe in it?

Question

"Mama Dyumbo was really more a male chauvinist god than anything else. The English explorer Mungo Park writes in his 'Travels in the Interior of Africa' that Mama Dyumbo was the spirit protecting the villages of Khassonke, a Mandingo African tribe on the Senegal. His name literally means 'ancestor with a pompon,' or wearing a tuft on his hat. Mama Dyumbo was mostly a ploy used by crafty husbands to silence their many wives." The "god" would appear to frighten the offending wife and then tie her to a tree and "whip her silent" amid the jeers of onlookers. "Because the god bewildered offending women, mumbo jumbo came to mean confusing talk, nonsense and meaningless ceremony. "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997).

Answer 1

They don't, its a term for confusing or meaningless words or actions;unintelligible or obscure ritual;an object believed to have supernatural powers.It is usually used in the negative sense:-"I don't believe in that mumbo jumbo.'
The vast majority who use the term neither know or care that the term is probably derived from a Mandingo idol.

Answer 2

First time, I have heard that "mumbo jumbo" means something even though am african. I don't even think that most people of african nor even european origin knows what it means at all or that it apparently means some stuff in senegal not to talk of believeing in it. So I do think that your question is a bit irrelevant. Sorry if I came off a bit harsh but I just think that your question is just a bit of mumbo jumbo! ha ha

Answer 3

Waow! I never knew that.Thanks for the observation.I'm very sure not many people knows the origin of this word and that means they don't necessarily believe in it.It is just one of those expressions.

Answer 4

mumbo jumbo is a term used every day in our lives when your telling someone their talking rubbish.

Answer 5

did he drink Um Bongo in the Congo?