obeah

[ oh-bee-uh ]

noun

1. a form of belief involving sorcery, practiced in parts of the West Indies, South America, the southern U.S., and Africa.
2. a fetish or charm used in practicing obeah.

obeah

/ ˈəʊbɪə /

noun

1. See obi
   another word for obi 2

Word History and Origins

Origin of obeah¹

1750–60; compare Gullah, Jamaican English, Guyanan English, Sranan óbia magic, charm; < a West African language, though precise source unclear; compare Twi ɔ-bayifó sorcerer (compound with -fo person), Igbo díbìà folk healer (compound with dí- expert in)

Example Sentences

The same missionary told me that in Sierra Leone, also, Obeah and poisoning go hand in hand.

From Project Gutenberg

But the pièce de résistance of the day was to be the examination and probable committal of the Obeah-man of those parts.

From Project Gutenberg

That spirit belongs to the Obeah, or Fêtish-man; and he puts it, by magic ceremonies, into any object which he chooses.

From Project Gutenberg

The ceiba is the sacred tree of the negro, the temple of Jumbi, the proper house of Obeah.

From Project Gutenberg

The rumor got about that Maumee Niña had become an Obeah woman,—a voodoo worker, a witch.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• religion
• worldview