
Bantu Beliefs and Magic
With particular reference to the Kikuyu and Kamba tribes of Kenya Colony; together with some reflections on East Africa after the war
Bantu Beliefs and Magic, published in 1922 with an introduction by Sir James Frazer, records what C. W. Hobley learned about the religion and customs of the Kikuyu and Kamba peoples during some thirty years as a colonial administrator in East Africa. The first part treats natural religion: ancestral spirits, sacred places, the state of ritual impurity the Kikuyu call thahu, rites of purification and blessing, and the power of a dying man's curse. The second describes magic, and the third gathers miscellaneous beliefs about animals, plants and omens. Hobley closes with reflections on the future of Kenya after the First World War, written from the colonial point of view of his time. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
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Frequently asked questions about Bantu Beliefs and Magic
Bantu Beliefs and Magic by C. W. Hobley can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
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Is Bantu Beliefs and Magic in the public domain?
Yes. Bantu Beliefs and Magic by C. W. Hobley is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Bantu Beliefs and Magic?
About 6 h 28 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Bantu Beliefs and Magic?
Bantu Beliefs and Magic by C. W. Hobley is filed under "Religion & Mythology" in the Vinteuil library.











