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obeah

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obeah

Main Entry:: obe·ah
Pronunciation:: \ˈō-bē-ə\
Variant(s):: also obi \ˈō-bē\
Function:: noun
Usage:: often capitalized
Etymology:: of African origin; akin to Ibo díbìà folk healer
Date:: circa 1711

: a system of belief among blacks chiefly of the British West Indies and the Guianas that is characterized by the use of magic ritual to ward off misfortune or to cause harm

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