ANTHROP 1AB3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Medicine Man, Cave Painting
12 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
Magic supernatural techniques intended to accomplish speci c claims: could have a negative or positive uses, ie. using particular rituals by casting spells on people through chants, songs, etc. In some cultures, magic is inseparable from religious beliefs, while in others it is seen as a completely separate practice. Magic is often aimed at speci c issues/problems, while religion is more concerned with the bigger picture : magic can t into a religious system, utilize personal agency & power; ie. prayer, magic is more individualistic. Difference in size of groups: religions can include billions of people, while magic is usually personal or small- scale. Anthropologists & other scholars have used two terms to separate the use of magic in non-western cultures: witchcraft an inborn, involuntary, & often unconscious capacity to cause harm to other people. May be born a witch & not even know it.
