Chapter 3 Definitions

Question 1

Amma

Answer 1

The high god of the Dogon people.

Question 2

Bori

Answer 2

a term for West African spirits.

Question 3

Candomble

Answer 3

New World religion with roots in West Africa - particularly Yoruba culture - which is prominent in Brazil.

Question 4

Dama

Answer 4

A Dogon rite of passage marking the transition to adulthood and to the afterlife.

Question 5

Divination

Answer 5

The attempt to learn about events that will happen in the future through supernatural means.

Question 6

Ifa

Answer 6

The divination system of the Yoruba religion, believed to be revealed to hummanity by the gods.

Question 7

Kinjiketele

Answer 7

The leader of the Manji Manji rebellion in Tanganyika (today’s Tanzania).

Question 8

Maji Maji

Answer 8

A 1905 rebellion against German colonizers in Tanganyika (today’s Tanzania)

Question 9

Medium

Answer 9

A person who is possessed by a spirit and thus mediates between the human and spirit worlds.

Question 10

Moran

Answer 10

A young man in Samburu or Maasai culture who has been circumcised and thus has special cultural and religious duties.

Question 11

Odu

Answer 11

The original prophets in Yoruba religion.

Question 12

Orisha

Answer 12

A term for lesser deities in Yoruba religion.

Question 13

Oshun

Answer 13

A Yoruba goddess.

Question 14

Pantheon

Answer 14

A group of deities or spirits.

Question 15

Rites of Passage

Answer 15

Rituals that markthe transition from one stage of life to another.

Question 16

Santeria

Answer 16

New World religion with roots in West Africa; prominent in Cuba.

Question 17

Vodou

Answer 17

New World religion with roots in West africa; prominent in Haiti and the Haitian diaspora.

Question 18

Witchcraft

Answer 18

a term used by Western scholars to describe the use of supernatural powers to harm others.

Question 19

Zar

Answer 19

A term for spirits in East Africa.