What is "obeah"

Obi \O"bi\, n. [Prob. of African origin.]

1. A species of sorcery, probably of African origin, practiced among the negroes of the West Indies. [Written also obe and obeah.]
   --De Quincey.
   --B. Edwards.

2. A charm or fetich. [West Indies]
   --B. Edwards.

"sorcery, witchcraft" among blacks in Africa and the W.Indies, 1760, from a West African word, such as Efik (southern Nigeria) ubio "a thing or mixture left as a charm to cause sickness or death," Twi ebayifo "witch, wizard, sorcerer."

n. 1 A form of folk magic, medicine or witchcraft originating in Africa and practised in parts of the Caribbean. 2 A magician or witchdoctor of the magic craft. 3 A spell performed in the practice of the magic craft; an item associated with such a spell. vb. (cx transitive English) To bewitch using this kind of folk magic.

n. a religious belief of African origin involving witchcraft and sorcery; practiced in parts of the West Indies and tropical Americas [syn: obi]

Obeah (sometimes spelled Obi, Obea, or Obia) is a term used in the West Indies to refer to folk magic, sorcery, and religious practices developed among West African slaves, specifically of Igbo origin. However, Obeah in Jamaica was only associated with the Akan and their rebellions that Igbos did not take part in. All s Obeah is similar to other Afro-American religions including Palo, Vodou, Santería, and Hoodoo. Obeah is practiced in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jersey, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean nations.

Obeah is associated with both benign and malignant magic, charms, luck, and with mysticism in general. In some Caribbean nations, Obeah refers to folk religions of the African diaspora. In some cases, aspects of these folk religions have survived through syncretism with Christian symbolism and practice introduced by European colonials and slave owners. Casual observation may conclude that Christian symbolism is incorporated into Obeah worship, but in fact may represent clandestine worship and religious protest.

During slavery, Obeah was directed against the European slave masters. However, with the end of slavery, Obeah became considered taboo, and the term has pejorative associations.

Obeah (1965–1993) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse for whom the Obeah Stakes at Delaware Park Racetrack is named.