Magic and Fetishism

Name: Magic and Fetishism
Author: Alfred C. Haddon

By Alfred C. Haddon

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About This Book

A concise anthropological primer surveys worldwide magical practices and fetish beliefs, organizing them by type and social setting. It distinguishes sympathetic techniques—contagious rituals acting through material contact and homeopathic rituals based on similarity—from the use of names, words, talismans, and divination. Public rites and private charms are compared, with attention to specialist practitioners, initiation, and social function. The author analyzes psychological mechanisms such as suggestion, taboo, belief in mana, and the transition from spell to prayer. Fetishism is defined functionally, describing objects as spirit-abodes, symbolic tokens, or agencies that are anthropomorphized, worshipped, and used in communication with the supernatural.

About the Author

Alfred C. Haddon

Alfred C. Haddon was a prominent figure in the field of anthropology and is known for his extensive contributions to the study of human cultures and societies. His work often explored the intersections of art, culture, and history, as seen in his notable book "Evolution in Art: As Illustrated by the Life-histories of Designs." Haddon also delved into the practices and beliefs of various cultures, exemplified in his writings such as "Head-hunters, black, white, and brown" and "Magic and Fetishism." His scholarly pursuits helped shape the understanding of anthropology during his time, making him a significant contributor to the discipline.