The Azande, an ethnic group that inhabits parts of Central Africa, have a complex belief system that includes the use of witchcraft, oracles, and magic. Witchcraft, in particular, plays a prominent role in their traditional practices and worldview. For the Azande, witchcraft is not seen as a form of evil or malevolence, but rather as a means of explaining misfortune, illness, or unexplained occurrences. They believe that individuals possess a certain power, known as mangu, which can be used for either good or ill-intentioned purposes. Those who possess this power are believed to have been born with it and are seen as witches or witchcraft practitioners. The Azande rely on oracles, known as poison oracles, as a means of understanding the causes of misfortune or illness.
Gameplay centers around managing your time in a way inspired by games such as Persona. Each day is divided into 3 timeslots that you can use to train, work, study or explore various side content. Some of these timeslots will be reserved for the main story, which proceeds at its own pace regardless of how you choose to spend your free time. As you get further into the game you will regularly find yourself in combat, which is resolved through a tactical form of Poker. Although the game offers many opportunities to make the protagonist more powerful, you will never be locked out of the main story content, allowing players who just wish to experience the main storyline to do so while skipping all or most of the additional content.
Unfamiliar with the world of Magic, you must find out what Destiny has in store for you while making new friends, finding true love and fending off your enemies. But when Mimose s dabbling becomes a little too real, and she seems to be possessed by a rogue spirit right before the parade, it s up to Cicely, plus her best friend, Renee, and her crush.
The Azande rely on oracles, known as poison oracles, as a means of understanding the causes of misfortune or illness. These oracles are performed by a skilled poisoner, who administers a potion made from special plants or insects to a fowl. The outcome of the fowl's reaction to the poison is then interpreted as a response from the ancestral spirits or as an indication of the presence of witchcraft.
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Love of Magic is an Urban Fantasy RPG developed by Droid Productions that combines the modern world with both Arthurian lore and elements from Celtic, Gaelic, Norse, Aztec and Asian mythoi. You play as a young American attending the university of Edinburgh where you will study as an Evoker. Unfamiliar with the world of Magic, you must find out what Destiny has in store for you while making new friends, finding true love and fending off your enemies. The game is developed with the backing of Patreon supporters and will consist of 3 books. Book 1 and Book 2 are available on Steam as well as itch.io. Book 3's store front is up on Steam, be sure and wishlist it!
Love of Magic is available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Android.
Gameplay centers around managing your time in a way inspired by games such as Persona. Each day is divided into 3 timeslots that you can use to train, work, study or explore various side content. Some of these timeslots will be reserved for the main story, which proceeds at its own pace regardless of how you choose to spend your free time. As you get further into the game you will regularly find yourself in combat, which is resolved through a tactical form of Poker. Although the game offers many opportunities to make the protagonist more powerful, you will never be locked out of the main story content, allowing players who just wish to experience the main storyline to do so while skipping all or most of the additional content.
Magic is also regarded as an important part of the Azande belief system. It is believed that individuals can use magical practices to protect themselves from harm or to cause harm to others. Magical rituals involve the use of special objects, such as amulets, fetishes, or potions, which are believed to possess inherent spiritual or supernatural powers. Among the Azande, the belief in witchcraft, oracles, and magic is deeply ingrained in their cultural practices and traditions. These beliefs are not seen as contradictory to their Christian or Islamic faiths but rather complement them. The Azande consider these practices as an integral part of their social and spiritual life, providing explanations and guidance in times of uncertainty or crisis. In conclusion, the Azande have a rich belief system that incorporates witchcraft, oracles, and magic as important means of understanding and navigating their world. These practices provide explanations for misfortune, help make sense of the unknown, and offer protective measures against harm. Such beliefs and practices continue to play a significant role in shaping the social and cultural fabric of the Azande people..
Reviews for "Ancient Practices: Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic among the Azande"
1. Jessica - 2/5 - I was really excited to dive into "Witchcraft Oracles and Magic Among the Azande" as I have always been interested in witchcraft practices and magical rituals. However, I found the book to be quite disappointing. The writing style was convoluted and difficult to understand, making it hard for me to fully grasp the concepts presented. Additionally, I felt that the author spent too much time on irrelevant anecdotes and not enough time exploring the actual practices and beliefs of the Azande people. Overall, I would not recommend this book to those looking for a comprehensive and coherent exploration of witchcraft and magic among the Azande.
2. David - 1/5 - As someone who has studied anthropology and has a keen interest in indigenous cultures, I was incredibly disappointed by "Witchcraft Oracles and Magic Among the Azande." The author seemed more preoccupied with promoting their own theories and interpretations rather than providing an objective analysis of the Azande people and their practices. This book lacked the depth and rigor that is expected in anthropological works, and I found it to be filled with unsubstantiated claims and speculative ideas. If you are looking for a reliable and scholarly examination of witchcraft and magic among the Azande, I would advise you to look elsewhere.
3. Michelle - 3/5 - While "Witchcraft Oracles and Magic Among the Azande" definitely had some interesting insights into the beliefs and practices of the Azande people, I couldn't help but feel that it fell short in certain areas. The writing style was dry and academic, making it a bit of a chore to read through. Additionally, the author often relied on complex terminology and jargon without adequately explaining their meanings, which made it challenging for a layperson like me to fully comprehend certain concepts. Overall, this book had its merits, but I would only recommend it to those with a strong background in anthropology or a deep interest in the Azande culture.