-
Articles/Ads
Article THE UNIVERSALITY OF SUPERSTITION. ← Page 5 of 20 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Universality Of Superstition.
all kinds . The Mandingo priest ( xvlio is a Mahometan ) is a seller of these charms , xvhich are knoxvn as gree-grees , or grisgris—ancl very similar in both nature ancl efficacy to the European amulet or talisman . Again , Koster , during his travels in Brazil , found a negro , xvho xvas stated to have the poxver of changing himselfon occasionsinto a xvolf-manor lobas-nomen
, , , ; ancl Captain Beax'er states , that on questioning an African negro of similar pretensions , was told , " that he could change himself into an alligator , and had often done it . " This idea corresponds xvith the loups-garoux of the French , the xvarwolves , wolf-men of the Germans , and similar European superstitions . Many of these have been introduced into Africa and
America by the agency of the Portuguese . The fetish , Avhich is a distinctive mark of negro Avorship , is a kind of domestic gocl or idol—a stuffed bird , head of a beast , or other grotesque object , being selected as a tutelary poAver ,
and made the centre of adoration . This may haA'e its origin , for anything Ave know to the contrary , in the very remotest antiquity . The Mexican priests anoint themselves with a preparation of tobacco for the purpose of holding communication AA'ith then * deity—a custom allied to that of European sorcery . Belonging to the South-Sea Islanders is a distinct and complete
system of mythology , the priests of Avhich system are termed Areois , ancl are prohibited from rearing children , although not condemned to celibacy ; this has proved the cause of a vast amount of infanticide , or infant sacrifices , among them . Possession by deAils ancl sorcery are both believed in ; but it is not easy to say whence these superstitions may haA'e arisen . In
many places they have a custom , among others , of cutting off their hah * at funeral ceremonies , —a usage not unlike those of other races , and to wliich , or a similar one , Moses alluded xvhen he delivered the injunction , " Ye shall not cut yourselves , nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead . "
To return to the superstitions of European countries ; a few illustrations may be adduced of the antiquity of sex'eral prominent features of popular belief . Witchcraft originated at Rome , and after the rise of Christianity was made punishable by the magistracy , the sorcerer ' s poxver ( xvhich , being derived from the gods , had been hitherto considered meritorious )
becoming attributable to Satan , ancl , consequently , highly criminal . This belief , as xvell as that in demons of all kinds , prevailed in Europe until the seventeenth century ; and our islands , xvith certain other remote localities , retained it until ex'en a later period . It gained strength from the fifth to the fifteenth centiu * y , xvhen the devil is saicl to have lectured in a cap ancl gown G 2
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Universality Of Superstition.
all kinds . The Mandingo priest ( xvlio is a Mahometan ) is a seller of these charms , xvhich are knoxvn as gree-grees , or grisgris—ancl very similar in both nature ancl efficacy to the European amulet or talisman . Again , Koster , during his travels in Brazil , found a negro , xvho xvas stated to have the poxver of changing himselfon occasionsinto a xvolf-manor lobas-nomen
, , , ; ancl Captain Beax'er states , that on questioning an African negro of similar pretensions , was told , " that he could change himself into an alligator , and had often done it . " This idea corresponds xvith the loups-garoux of the French , the xvarwolves , wolf-men of the Germans , and similar European superstitions . Many of these have been introduced into Africa and
America by the agency of the Portuguese . The fetish , Avhich is a distinctive mark of negro Avorship , is a kind of domestic gocl or idol—a stuffed bird , head of a beast , or other grotesque object , being selected as a tutelary poAver ,
and made the centre of adoration . This may haA'e its origin , for anything Ave know to the contrary , in the very remotest antiquity . The Mexican priests anoint themselves with a preparation of tobacco for the purpose of holding communication AA'ith then * deity—a custom allied to that of European sorcery . Belonging to the South-Sea Islanders is a distinct and complete
system of mythology , the priests of Avhich system are termed Areois , ancl are prohibited from rearing children , although not condemned to celibacy ; this has proved the cause of a vast amount of infanticide , or infant sacrifices , among them . Possession by deAils ancl sorcery are both believed in ; but it is not easy to say whence these superstitions may haA'e arisen . In
many places they have a custom , among others , of cutting off their hah * at funeral ceremonies , —a usage not unlike those of other races , and to wliich , or a similar one , Moses alluded xvhen he delivered the injunction , " Ye shall not cut yourselves , nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead . "
To return to the superstitions of European countries ; a few illustrations may be adduced of the antiquity of sex'eral prominent features of popular belief . Witchcraft originated at Rome , and after the rise of Christianity was made punishable by the magistracy , the sorcerer ' s poxver ( xvhich , being derived from the gods , had been hitherto considered meritorious )
becoming attributable to Satan , ancl , consequently , highly criminal . This belief , as xvell as that in demons of all kinds , prevailed in Europe until the seventeenth century ; and our islands , xvith certain other remote localities , retained it until ex'en a later period . It gained strength from the fifth to the fifteenth centiu * y , xvhen the devil is saicl to have lectured in a cap ancl gown G 2