essay

Divination in Bunyoro, Uganda

magic, witchcraft and curing • Garden City, N.Y. • Published In 1967 • Pages: 211-231, 321-330

By: Beattie, John.

Abstract

Here, Beattie discusses in more detail spirit possession and divination rituals (see document no. 5.) Diviners are mostly men who travel the country offering their services. Beattie discusses three different methods of divination: mechanical, augury, and by means of spirits. Mechanical methods involve the use of charms, plant leaves, leather strips, wooden sticks, and cowry shells, the last being the most common. Augury involves the examination of the blood flow and entrails of chickens. Divination by spirits involves sTances in which a spirit answers questions through a diviner. Another form of divination involved the use of fetishes such as magical horns which could talk. It is associated with sorcery.

HRAF PubDate

2003

Region

Africa

Sub Region

Eastern Africa

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 2002

Field Date

1951-1955

Coverage Date

1951-1955

Coverage Place

Western Province, Uganda

Notes

John Beattie

Includes bibliographical references (p. 321-330)

LCCN

67012895

LCSH

Nyoro (African people)