The Azande people, who predominantly reside in the northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have a rich cultural heritage that includes various traditional practices such as witchcraft and oracles. These practices play a significant role in Azande society and are believed to have the power to influence everyday life and events. Witchcraft, known as "mangu" in the Zande language, is deeply embedded in Azande culture. It is believed that witches possess supernatural powers and can cause harm to others through their malevolent intentions. Witchcraft accusations are often made in response to unfortunate or unexplained events, such as illnesses, deaths, and crop failures. The belief in witchcraft serves as an explanatory framework for these occurrences, providing the Azande with a sense of control over their environment.
In all, Just Add Magic proves to be a cute book for any age, especially all the tweens out there. So, do yourself a favor and buy this book if you're a middle-grade reader or have someone in your life who fits the age group this book is ment for!
Just Add Magic tells the story of seventh-grader Kelly Quinn, a girl who loves to cook, play soccer, and hang out with her best friends Darbie and Hannah. Yet another aspect of this book I enjoyed was the secret, magical cookbook the girls found early on in the book, because not only did it set the plot of in a great way, but it always proved an intriuging mystery throughout the whole book.
The belief in witchcraft serves as an explanatory framework for these occurrences, providing the Azande with a sense of control over their environment. Although witchcraft is generally seen as a negative force, it is not always associated with evil intentions or malicious actions. In Azande culture, witchcraft can also be perceived as a neutral power that individuals are born with, and they must learn to manage responsibly.
Just add magic cindy callaghna
When Kelly Quinn and her two BFFs discover a dusty old cookbook while cleaning out her attic, the girls decide to try a few of the mysterious recipes inside. But the ancient book bears an eerie warning, and it doesn't take long for the girls to realize that their dishes are linked to strange occurances. The Keep 'Em Quiet Cobbler actually silences Kelly's pesky little brother and the Hexberry Tarta brings an annoying curse to mean girl Charlotte Barney. And there is the Love Bug Juice, which seems to have quite the effect on those cute Rusamano boys.
Could these receipes really be magical? Who wrote them and where did they come from. And most importantly, what kind of trouble are the girls stirring up for themselves? Things are about to get just a little too hot in Kelly Quinn's kitchen.
Review:
Looking for a adorable and hilarious read to give to a tween you know? Well, look no further because Cindy Callaghan's Just Add Magic is the perfect choice in this matter!
Just Add Magic tells the story of seventh-grader Kelly Quinn, a girl who loves to cook, play soccer, and hang out with her best friends Darbie and Hannah. So when Kelly and Darbie discover a old cookbook it's just the icing on the cake for Kelly Quin, because not only does she have fresh new cooking ideas to worth with, but she finally gets to start a cooking club with her friends! Though, the girls soon discover this cooking book is anything but ordinary. For one, not only does every recipe has a weird name such as Keep 'Em Quiet Cobbler or Love Bug Juice, but everytime they severe the final baked good something weird and magical occurs. But are the recipes really made of magic? Better yet, are they using this special cookbook in the wrong kind of way? A way that will break up their friendship once and for all? Well, you'll have to read Just Add Magic to find out!
Kelly Quinn, Darbie, and Hannah were one of my favorite part parts of this book for numerous reasons. One is the way that they reminded me of my friends and me during our seventh grade year, which leads me to my next reason- I loved the way that Hannah, Kelly, and Darbie were typical, normal seventh grade girls. Sure they had some unusual things happen to them, but when it comes down to it they had the regular tween girl stuff happen to them, making them and their situtians not only relatable in many ways but also role-model worthy to the tween girls who will be reading this book.
Yet another aspect of this book I enjoyed was the secret, magical cookbook the girls found early on in the book, because not only did it set the plot of in a great way, but it always proved an intriuging mystery throughout the whole book. There was barly a moment when I wasn't wondering out the cookbook and what it entitled for the girls and their freinds when I was reading Just Add Magic and I liked that.
Futhermore, Cindy Callaghan proves to have the voice of a tween girl down pat with this book. Better yet, her writing was smooth and clear and her plot lines and characters were well fleshed out.
In all, Just Add Magic proves to be a cute book for any age, especially all the tweens out there. So, do yourself a favor and buy this book if you're a middle-grade reader or have someone in your life who fits the age group this book is ment for!
Grade: B+
Source: Over the River Public Relations. Thanks, Rachel!
Grade: B+
Individuals who are believed to possess innate witchcraft powers are often considered to be valuable members of the community due to their ability to mediate between the spiritual and physical worlds. Another significant aspect of Azande traditional practices is the use of oracles, specifically the "poison oracle" or "bingo" as it is commonly known. This practice involves using the bark of a certain kind of tree to create a poison, which is administered to a chicken. The oracle's response is then interpreted based on the behavior of the chicken after consuming the poison. The Azande believe that the oracle can provide them with guidance and insights into various aspects of their lives, such as the cause of an illness or the outcome of a conflict. Rituals and ceremonies surrounding witchcraft and oracles are typically conducted by specialized individuals known as "ngangas." These ngangas possess extensive knowledge of the spiritual realm and are responsible for mediating between the physical and metaphysical worlds. They play a crucial role in interpreting the signs and messages provided by both witches and oracles, guiding individuals and communities in their search for understanding and resolution. While the Azande's traditional practices of witchcraft and oracles may seem mysterious or irrational to some, they serve a vital function in the cultural and social fabric of the community. They provide a means for explaining and addressing life's uncertainties, offering a sense of control, guidance, and unity among the Azande people. Despite the introduction of modernity and the influence of other belief systems, these traditional practices continue to hold significance and shape the worldview of the Azande people..
Reviews for "Azande Witchcraft as Art: An Examination of Symbolism and Aesthetics in Ritual Practices"
- Emily - 1 star
I found this book to be incredibly offensive and culturally appropriative. The author seemed to have no respect for the Azande people and their practices, reducing them to mere "witchcraft" and "oracles". The lack of nuance and understanding was evident throughout the entire book. It felt like the author was exploiting this community for their own gain, rather than truly trying to educate and inform readers about their unique culture. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
- John - 2 stars
I had high hopes for this book, as I wanted to learn more about traditional Azande practices. However, I was disappointed by the lack of depth and analysis provided. The author seemed more interested in sensationalizing these practices rather than providing a well-rounded perspective. Additionally, the writing style was dry and dull, making it difficult to fully engage with the subject matter. Overall, I think there are better resources out there to learn about the Azande, and I would not recommend this book as a starting point.
- Samantha - 1 star
As an anthropologist myself, I was deeply disappointed in this book. The disregard for cultural sensitivity and the lack of respect for the Azande people was truly disheartening. It felt like the author was more interested in perpetuating stereotypes and exoticizing these practices rather than presenting an accurate portrayal. I believe this book does a disservice to both the Azande community and the field of anthropology. I would strongly advise against reading it.