Daydream Magic Pals Daydreaming is a common pastime for many people. It allows us to escape from the real world and enter a realm of our own creation. In the world of daydreams, anything is possible. We can be anyone we want to be, go anywhere we want to go, and do anything we want to do. One particular aspect of daydreaming is the creation of magic pals. These imaginary friends are like companions that exist solely in our daydreams.
Supernatural: an anthropologist’s account of witchcraft, shamans and magic
The frost-bitten tundra cultures of northern Siberia may not seem to have much to do with those of Mozambique, but put the two side-by-side and there are surprising similarities. Magic and the power of the supernatural play a key role in both cultures, as they do across most societies, says anthropology professor and department chair John Ziker.
“I started fieldwork in Siberia in 1992. In the community where I lived for three years, there are people with reputations for having supernatural powers,” he said. “Some of these people are formally recognized as shamans, some are descended from shamans.”
The shamans he described in this tundra culture traditionally wore heavily-adorned parkas. Ornamented with bronze icons and other culturally-relevant symbols, the parka can weigh about 40 kilograms, or 88 pounds. One culturally relevant symbol are the faces on the shoulders of the parkas: these are faces of ancestors, and their noses are shaped like the bow of a ship for an unexpected reason.
Kosterkin clan ritual in Siberia. Photo by John Ziker
“These faces with long, thin noses help the shaman break through iron waves in order to get to the underworld, where they do battle with some kind of spirit that has taken someone’s soul,” Ziker explained.
Shamans traditionally do important spiritual healing work through such battles. However, in the past, some shamans were accused of doing evil deeds, much like witchcraft accusations in other societies.
More recently, while doing field research in Mozambique, Ziker witnessed contemporary witchcraft accusations. Though it has faded from use in many cultures and societies, accusations of witchcraft are still alive in others.
“It’s really common across sub-Saharan Africa, and fairly common in more traditional societies in other parts of the world as well,” said Ziker. “The people who have the least connections within the community, those are the ones who are more often accused of witchcraft.”
Fertility and protective symbols are painted on side of house in Mozambique. Photo by John Ziker
Ziker explained that witchcraft accusations have served as a political tool geared to maintain the social order, though not always in the way one would expect. Two common social science explanations of witchcraft are the mass hysteria theory and the scapegoat theory.
The mass hysteria theory has been used to explain examples such as the witch killings of the reformation and counter-reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries. During these religious wars, communities demanded magistrates find a reason for their ills, oftentimes demanding and forcing the decisions to condemn community members.
In the scapegoat theory, someone peripheral in the community takes the blame for the problems in the community. This approach has been used to explain incidences such as the Salem witch trials. Both of these theories have significant challenges to overcome in explaining actual witchcraft accusation and prosecution patterns, both historically in the West and cross-culturally.
“While it is interesting that these people are being accused of witchcraft and prosecuted because they’re relatively powerless, ultimately, accusations are aimed to demonstrate to some other group that this group [in power] is willing to go to that extent in order to protect its interests. It’s a statement to people who really do threaten the social order,” said Ziker.
The definition of witchcraft in anthropology covers such accusations of supernatural evil. Ziker often is asked about Wicca and Wiccans, who do not fit this definition. In anthropology, Wicca is viewed as a new religious movement, and consider it using other concepts such as magic, sorcery and sacrifice. Wiccans embrace the identity of witchcraft to create power structures of their own in the face of dominant religions. Researcher Wouter Hanegraaff with the University of Amsterdam refers to this as a “positive antitype.”
Going beyond social typologies, Ziker encouraged researchers to look at the nuances of behavior and individual costs and benefits of cooperative strategies. Wicca, like other new religious movements, uses supernatural claims to create, maintain and expand social relationships.
As an anthropologist, Ziker said that being able to understand the motives and mindset that shape such supernatural beliefs requires using observational methods to analyze various details, ranging from educational levels, to wealth, kinship relations and much more.
“In anthropology, we listen to what people say about what they’re doing, but our main methods are focused on what people are doing,” said Ziker. “And a lot of times we say one thing and do something completely different.”
These imaginary friends are like companions that exist solely in our daydreams. They can take on any form we wish, from talking animals to fantastical creatures. Magic pals serve as our confidantes, our partners in crime, and our sources of comfort.
Share This
- Share on Facebook
- Share on Twitter
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share through Email
ANTH 4751: Supernatural-Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion: Home
Welcome to the class page for Anthropology 4751. Here you will find resources that are suggested for your research in this class as well as links to required course readings and films. If you need help accessing library resources or doing research, please contact the Anthropology Librarian.
The beauty of magic pals is that they are always there for us, no matter what. They don't judge us or criticize us; they simply offer us their unwavering support and companionship. They understand our deepest desires and dreams, and they encourage us to pursue them. Magic pals also have the power to make our daydreams come true. They can grant us any superpower we desire or transport us to any place in the world. They are the gatekeepers to our wildest imagination, and they encourage us to explore new horizons and push the boundaries of our creativity. These magical companions are not limited to children; people of all ages can benefit from the presence of magic pals in their daydreams. They provide a much-needed sense of whimsy and wonder in our often mundane lives. In conclusion, daydream magic pals are the fantastical companions we create in our daydreams. They offer us unwavering support and companionship, encourage us to pursue our dreams, and have the power to make our daydreams come true. No matter our age, having a magic pal in our daydreams allows us to tap into our innate creativity and imagination..
Reviews for "Connecting with your inner child through daydream magic pals"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Daydeeam magic pals". The storyline was weak and the characters were one-dimensional. It felt like I was watching a poorly executed kids' show. The animation was also subpar and lacked creativity. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone looking for quality entertainment.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "Daydeeam magic pals" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and the voice acting was unbearable. I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters as their personalities were poorly developed. It felt like a cheap attempt at cashing in on the popularity of other magical-themed shows. Save yourself the agony and skip this one.
3. David - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Daydeeam magic pals" but unfortunately, it fell flat. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The jokes were stale and didn't land with the intended audience. The animation was decent, but it was overshadowed by the lackluster storytelling. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable and unimpressive show.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I couldn't get into "Daydeeam magic pals" at all. The characters were annoying and the dialogue was cheesy. The pace of the show was slow and I found myself getting bored halfway through the first episode. The visuals were colorful, but that was the only redeeming aspect. It's definitely not worth the hype it received.
5. Michael - 3/5 - "Daydeeam magic pals" had its moments, but overall, it didn't live up to my expectations. The concept was interesting, but the execution fell short. The humor felt forced and the animation lacked attention to detail. It may be enjoyable for younger audiences, but as an adult, I found it difficult to fully engage with the show.