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Key Terms
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supernatural belief  A belief that transcends the observable, natural world.
supernatural being  An invisible being that exhibits form, personality, attitudes, and powers.
supernatural forces  Unseen powers that are not personified and may be manipulated to achieve good or evil.
polytheistic  A belief system consisting of many supernatural beings of approximately equal power.
monotheistic  A belief system that focuses on one all-powerful supernatural being.
magic  The techniques used to manipulate supernatural forces and beings.
shaman  A part-time practitioner of the supernatural who has special powers to mediate between the supernatural world and the community.
imitative magic  A type of magic based on the notion that working magic on an image of an animal or person will cause the same effect on the actual animal or person.
contagious magic  A type of magic based on the idea that something that has contact with a person or animal contains some essence of that being and magic performed on the item will have the same effect as if performed on the being.
priest  A full-time supernatural practitioner who is part of a bureaucracy.
ritual  Behavior that is formalized, regularly repeated and has symbolic content.
rite of passage  Ritual associated with the social movement of an individual from one culturally defined role and status to another during the passage from birth to death.
rite of intensification  Ritual, often seasonal, that reinforces group solidarity, cultural values and group social and political status relationships.
prophet  One who has had direct communication with a god. Often receives a message that articulates a plan of action for the group.
revitalization movement  An organized movement that occurs during times of change that involve perceived loss of traditional cultural values. A prophet or charismatic leader predicts a revitalized society if a program is followed.







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