obi

/'oubi/

Thân thiện

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A religious belief or system of African origin involving witchcraft and sorcery: This refers to a set of spiritual practices and folk magic found primarily in the Caribbean and parts of the tropical Americas.
   • Followers of this religious system: This meaning refers collectively to the people who practice or adhere to these beliefs.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The villagers feared the power of obi used by the local healer.
  • Anthropologists studied the rituals and beliefs of the obi in Jamaica.

Advanced Usage

• "To practice obi": To engage in the rituals or magic associated with this belief system.
  • It was rumored that the old woman in the hills practiced obi.

Variants and Related Words

• Obeah (n): This is a direct variant and synonym for "obi," referring to the same system of belief and practice.
  • Obeah is a similar term used interchangeably with obi in many contexts.

Synonyms

• Sorcery: The use of magic, especially black magic.
• Witchcraft: The practice of magical skills and abilities.
• Folk magic: Traditional magical practices specific to a culture or community.

Notes on Different Meanings

• Distinct from Japanese 'Obi': It is critical to note that this word "obi" is homonymous with a completely different word from Japanese. The Japanese "obi" (帯) refers to a sash or belt worn with traditional Japanese clothing like a kimono. The two words share the same spelling but have entirely different origins, meanings, and cultural contexts. This explanation is solely for the word of African/Caribbean origin.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a religious belief of African origin involving witchcraft and sorcery; practiced in parts of the West Indies and tropical Americas
2. (West Indies) followers of a religious system involving witchcraft and sorcery

Từ đồng nghĩa

• obeah