Black African magic, also known as African witchcraft or African traditional spirituality, refers to the various indigenous magical practices and beliefs that have been traditionally followed among many ethnic groups in Africa. It is rooted in the African worldview, which sees the physical and spiritual worlds as interconnected. In African societies, magic and spirituality are essential aspects of everyday life. Magic is seen as a powerful force that can help individuals navigate and influence the spiritual realm for their own benefit or the benefit of their community. It is believed that through rituals, spells, and the invocation of spirits, one can harness this magical power. The practice of African magic is diverse and varies among different ethnic groups and regions.
"Deprived of their own traditions and defined as chattel, enslaved Africans formed a new orientation in America. Conjuring--operating alongside of and within both the remnants of African culture and the acquired traditions of North America--served as a theoretical and practical mode of deciphering and divining within this, enabling them to create an alternate meaning of life in the New World. Chireau's is the first full-scale treatment of this important dimension of African American culture and religion. A wonderful book!"--Charles H. Long, Professor of History of Religions University of California, Santa Barbara and author of Significations: Signs, Symbols and Images in the Interpretation of Religion
Chireau describes Conjure and other related traditions, such as Hoodoo and Rootworking, in a beautifully written, richly detailed history that presents the voices and experiences of African Americans and shows how magic has informed their culture. The Three Point Nine Art Collective bears witness to this phenomenon and seeks to reverse it by drawing attention to the historical and ongoing presence of Black artists in the city and creative expression in its Black communities.
The practice of African magic is diverse and varies among different ethnic groups and regions. Each community has its own set of beliefs, rituals, and magical practices, often passed down through generations. However, there are common elements that can be found across many African magical traditions.
Black Magic
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This exhibition marks the West Coast premiere of Black Magic, a collection of videos created by five members of the San Francisco-based Three Point Nine Art Collective. In 2020, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto invited Jason Lujan and Maria Hupfield—aka Native Art Department International—to curate new work for the museum's Shift Key online platform. They invited Three Point Nine Art Collective to create videos investigating protection spells. During this time of universal upheaval, the videos situate the concepts of protection, strength, resilience, and endurance as both individual, embodied practices and also collective acts of creative and cultural production.
Three Point Nine Art Collective statement:
We focused on our individual methods of protection and self-care during the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racism. With this body of work, we expressed and performed our arcana based on these words: Mediation. Ritual. Run. Strength. Each artist created personal narratives on how they thought of or utilized one of these terms in their lives. The films created by the collective members include personal narratives, contemplative practices, observations and performances. By working collectively and valuing our individuality, we are dismantling the ideas of monolithic experiences within our culture, and creating radical images of ourselves that are nuanced, reflective and poetic.
Acknowledgment: Video production and editing by Minoosh Zomorodinia
The Three Point Nine Art Collective is an association of African American artists, curators, and art writers who live in San Francisco, and who came together to draw attention to the city's dwindling Black population. The Three Point Nine Art Collective bears witness to this phenomenon and seeks to reverse it by drawing attention to the historical and ongoing presence of Black artists in the city and creative expression in its Black communities. Through multiple forms of presentation and outreach, we create and claim spaces to display our art work; nurture young artists and develop educational programs for students; and write about and curate exhibitions means to generate productive, cross-cultural dialogues.
Image credit: Ron Moultrie Saunders, Meditate. Rejuvenate. Regenerate, 2021. (still)
Image credit: Ron Moultrie Saunders, Meditate. Rejuvenate. Regenerate, 2021. (still)
One of the central concepts in African magic is the belief in spirits. These spirits, known as ancestors or deities, are seen as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realms. They are believed to have the power to influence events in the physical world and can be invoked through rituals and offerings. Rituals play a vital role in African magic. They often involve the use of symbolic objects, such as talismans or charms, as well as the chanting or singing of incantations. These rituals are performed to communicate with the spirits, seek their guidance or protection, or to influence specific aspects of life, such as fertility, healing, or success in hunting. In African magical traditions, there is a strong belief in the interconnectedness of nature and the spiritual world. Nature is seen as infused with spiritual power, and natural elements, such as plants, animals, or natural objects, are often used in magical rituals. For example, certain plants may be believed to have healing properties or protective qualities, and animal parts may be used for their magical properties. African magic has also been influenced by external factors throughout history, such as colonization and the arrival of foreign religions. In some cases, African magical traditions have blended with elements of Christianity or Islam, resulting in syncretic practices. Despite the diversity of African magical practices, they share common principles rooted in the spiritual beliefs and traditions of the continent's peoples. African magic continues to be practiced today, both in Africa and among African diaspora communities around the world, serving as an important aspect of cultural identity and spirituality..
Reviews for "Exploring the Role of Divination in Black African Magic"
1. John - 2/5: I found "Black African Magic World" to be quite disappointing. The storyline seemed promising at first, but it quickly became convoluted, making it hard to follow and engage with the characters. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of dialogue that didn't seem to contribute much to the overall plot. Additionally, the writing style was quite dry, lacking the descriptive language that could have brought the story to life. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and disconnected from the narrative.
2. Sarah - 3/5: While I appreciated the unique concept behind "Black African Magic World," I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed by its execution. The plot had potential, but it lacked depth and development, leaving me wanting more. The characters felt one-dimensional and their motivations were unclear, which made it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level. The writing style was also a bit repetitive, with certain phrases being overused throughout the book. While it wasn't a terrible read, it fell short of my expectations.
3. Michael - 2/5: I struggled to get through "Black African Magic World". The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot was filled with unnecessary subplots that only served to confuse me further. The dialogue felt forced and the characters lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. Additionally, the world-building was minimal, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, I found the book to be frustrating and unfulfilling, and it wouldn't be a title I would recommend to others.
4. Emily - 2/5: As much as I wanted to like "Black African Magic World," it just didn't resonate with me. The writing style felt disjointed and the transitions between scenes were abrupt, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters lacked depth and their actions often felt out of place within the story. While the concept of African magic was intriguing, it wasn't explored in a way that felt authentic or immersive. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations and left me feeling disappointed.