noun
- A system of folk magic and spiritual practices originating in West Africa and practiced in the Caribbean, involving the use of charms, rituals, and herbal remedies.
Usage: Also spelled 'obi' or 'obea'; Primarily associated with Caribbean cultures, especially Jamaica; Often used in historical or cultural contexts
Examples
- The novel explores the role of obeah in Caribbean spiritual traditions.
- Obeah practitioners were historically feared and sometimes persecuted in colonial Jamaica.
- She studied obeah as part of her research into African diaspora religions.
- The character consulted an obeah woman for a protective charm.
- Obeah blends African ancestral veneration with Caribbean folk practices.