ANTHROP 1AB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Medicine Man, Animism, Inuit
Document Summary
Magic : supernatural techniques intended to accomplish specific aims (can be for good or bad) Through rituals (songs, dances, words, prayers, events) Magic can fit into a religious system, utilize personal agency and power; ex: pray for family to get better: difference in size of groups. Religions can include billions of people (community orientated) , while magic is usually personal or small-scale. Magic & religion: religious practices are often done at specific predetermined time (ramadan, magic is practiced when need arises, religions have formal leadership (priests, magic can be performed by anyone. Ex; voodoo dolls (imitation in doll form: contagious magic. Magic only works when have in possession objects or things that have been in contact w/ person you want to perform magic on. Ex; spells/rituals w piece of clothing/nail/hair on that you want to help or hurt. Oldest codified spiritual tradition that arose from either animism or mana.