obeahs

Noun

obeah (countable and uncountable, plural obeahs)

1. A form of folk magic, medicine or witchcraft originating in Africa and practised in parts of the Caribbean.
   • Although lacking a self-perpetuating institutional structure, Obeah was a crucial element of Afro-Caribbean religions everywhere from Suriname's Maroon societies (communities of runaway slaves) to the Leeward Islands' slave societies.1997, James D. Rice, “Obeah”, in Junius P. Rodriguez, editor, The Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery, volumes II (L–Z), Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, →ISBN, page 477
2. A magician or witch doctor of the magic craft.
   • […] but he went down to death, with dusky dreams of African shadow-catchers and Obeahs hunting him.1860 November, R[alph] W[aldo] Emerson, “The Story of West-Indian Emancipation”, in M[oncure] D[aniel] Conway, editor, The Dial: A Monthly Magazine for Literature, Philosophy and Religion, volume I...

   Synonyms:

   mage, shaman, spellcaster, archmage, archmagician, bewitcher, charmer, conjurer, illusionist, Karcist

3. A spell performed in the practice of the magic craft; an item associated with such a spell.
   • Mr. M. J. Walhouse then read a paper on "Some Indian Obeahs", and exhibited some photos of Kurumbars, and a piece of the bone of an elk and an iron cock's spur, with which a man had been murdered, both of which had been regarded as Obeahs.1893 June, “Folk-Lore Society. Proceedings at Evening Meetings.”, in Folk-Lore: A Quarterly Review of Myth, Tradition, Institution, & Custom, volume IV, number II, London: David Nutt, 270, Strand...

   Synonyms:

   enchantment, makutu, wanga, cantrip, chantment, charm, conjuration, craft, dwimmer, hex

See all 4 meanings of obeah