Charms
It has been the custom for burglars and other notorious thieves to have charms made specially to aid them in their unlawful acts besides having in possession implements of housebreaking; these charms are of varied descriptions, ...
It has been the custom for burglars and other notorious thieves to have charms made specially to aid them in their unlawful acts besides having in possession implements of housebreaking; these charms are of varied descriptions, ...
Source: Payne's Principal Events in Yoruba History by John Otonba Payne (1893)
Image: Amulet consisting of carved wooden effigy of Eshu, the wooden figure is covered with carved divination boards and cowrie shells threaded onto leather, 1880-1900.
The Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
The Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
... they are either writings of words, or sentences in Arabic from the Koran made by Mahomedan priest, or certain ingredients or obnoxious substance or powder by pagan or heathen fetish priests.
They are made and issued to suit almost all occasions and the superstitious wishes of the people. Before going out in their felonious intent, the burglars or thieves would first take oath of secrecy under pains and penalties, ...
... administered by swearing on a sword, or cutlass, or matchet, or axe, or drinking of some drugs to indicate death by the sword or gun, or by poison.
I may mention some of the charms as follows::—
I may mention some of the charms as follows::—
(1) Iṣọra or Protective Charms.—
These are to protect the burglars against every danger, from being seen or caught by any one, and particularly from apprehension by the police;...
These are to protect the burglars against every danger, from being seen or caught by any one, and particularly from apprehension by the police;...
... to ward off gunshot, and to make blunt the edge of the sword if they come to close contact with any night patrol of the police.
(2) Awure or Successful Charms.—
These are made for good luck in any undertaking and to succeed in any night adventure to commit felony, and if caught, to obtain favour in the sight of the authorities, etc.
These are made for good luck in any undertaking and to succeed in any night adventure to commit felony, and if caught, to obtain favour in the sight of the authorities, etc.
(3) Afẹri or Vanishing Charms.—
These are to enable a burglar or burglars or thieves to disappear and elude the police or the inmates of a house when he or they is or are in danger of being caught in their felonious work.
These are to enable a burglar or burglars or thieves to disappear and elude the police or the inmates of a house when he or they is or are in danger of being caught in their felonious work.
(4) Dâmùdâmù or Confounding Charms.—
These to have an enchanting and fascinating influence on the particular householder or person of property against whom they are specially made, that he or they cannot act in opposition to that influence.
These to have an enchanting and fascinating influence on the particular householder or person of property against whom they are specially made, that he or they cannot act in opposition to that influence.
(5) Otitẹ or Pressing Charms.—
To press down the inmates of a particular house against any person of property, to paralyse them and make them sleep soundly and not able to wake or rise up during the robbery of their goods, or in breaking and entering the premises.
To press down the inmates of a particular house against any person of property, to paralyse them and make them sleep soundly and not able to wake or rise up during the robbery of their goods, or in breaking and entering the premises.
(6) Edi or Tying Charms.—These to tie their enemies who may suspect them in their unlawful acts, or any person of means who employed...
...night watchman over his premises, by throwing or secretly bury such charms in their premises, thereby believing that their enemies will be confounded or paralysed.
(7) Amunimuye or Mesmerizing Charms.—These to enable the burglar to control the senses of such inmates of any house so as to give information...
... when asked about the whereabouts of the inmates and to give up keys of iron chests, cash boxes, or wooden chests or boxes, or of particular rooms where goods or valuables are kept.
(8) Ipalọdọ or Idiotic Charms.—
These are to render a man idiot or fool if he would be hostile to burglars upon being awake from sleep ; and generally, there is not a case for which the burglar or thief does not procure charms or fetish to aid their felonious deeds.
These are to render a man idiot or fool if he would be hostile to burglars upon being awake from sleep ; and generally, there is not a case for which the burglar or thief does not procure charms or fetish to aid their felonious deeds.
