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Fetichism in West Africa : $b forty years' observation of native customs and superstitions — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi

Fetichism in West Africa : $b forty years' observation of native customs and superstitions

John Stuart Mill · en

Religion and Civilization.--Worship of Natural Objects.--
    Polytheism.--Idolatry.--Worship of Ancestors.--Fetichism.

  CHAPTER IV

  SPIRITUAL BEINGS IN AFRICAN RELIGION                                  50

     I. Origin                                                          50

          Coterminous with the Creator.--Created.--Spirits of
          Deceased Human Beings; in Unity, Duality, Trinity, or
          Quadruplicity.

    II. Number                                                          55

   III. Locality                                                        58

    IV. Characteristics                                                 62

  CHAPTER V

  SPIRITUAL BEINGS IN AFRICA--THEIR CLASSES AND FUNCTIONS               64

     I. Classes and Functions                                           64

          Inina.--Ibambo.--Ombwiri.--Nkinda.--Mondi.

    II. Special Manifestations                                          70

        Human Soul in a Lower Animal; the Leopard Fiend.--Uvengwa,
        Ghost.--Family Guardian-Spirit.

  CHAPTER VI

  FETICHISM--ITS PHILOSOPHY--A PHYSICAL SALVATION--CHARMS AND
  AMULETS                                                               75

    Monotheism.--Polytheism.--Animism.--Fetichism.

    The Salvation Sought: its Kind, Physical; its Source, Spirits;
    its Reason, Fear.

    The Means used: Prayer, Sacrifices, Charms; Vocal, Ritual,
    Material, Fetiches.

    Articles used in the Fetich.--Mode of Preparation: A Fitness in
    the Quality of the Object for the End desired; Efficiency
    depends on the Localized Spirit; Misuse of the Word "Medicine";
    Native "Doctors"; Connection of Fetich with Witchcraft.

  CHAPTER VII

  THE FETICH--A WORSHIP                                                 90

     I. Sacrifice and Offerings                                         91

          Small Votive Gifts.--Consecrated Plants; Idols and Gifts
          of Food.--Blood Sacrifices.--Human Sacrifices.

    II. Prayer                                                          97

   III. The Use of Charms or "Fetiches"                                 99

  CHAPTER VIII

  THE FETICH--WITCHCRAFT--A WHITE ART--SORCERY                         100

    A passively Defensive Art.--Professedly of the Nature of a
    Medicine.--Distinction between a Fetich Doctor and a Christian
    Physician.--Manner of Performance of the White Art.--The
    Medicinal Herbs used sometimes Valuable.--Strength of Native
    Faith in the System.

  CHAPTER IX

  THE FETICH--WITCHCRAFT--A BLACK ART--DEMONOLOGY                      116

    Distinction as to the Object aimed at in the White Art and in
    the Black Art.--Black Art actively Offensive.--The Black Art
    distinctively "Witchcraft."--Witchcraft Executions; claimed
    to be Judicial Acts.--Hoodoo Worship.--Christian Faith and
    Fetich Faith Compared.--Deception by Fetich Magicians.--
    Clairvoyance.--Demoniacal Possession.