Contemporary works can enjoy it while sidestepping most ethnic stereotypes and the Unfortunate Implications attached. These ideas are still poorly-understood (or misunderstood) by many, but this character may provide a way to explore them, so it remains not an entirely Discredited Trope. Ideas about what a Witch Doctor does are informed by shamanism, a diverse range of practices among many disparate indigenous peoples. Re-interpretations of the Witch Doctor persist, however. This type of portrayal is mostly a Dead Horse Trope. In stories (especially older ones) where The Missionary or Gentleman Adventurer is the hero, this figure neatly fits the villain role: a sinister pagan Evil Sorcerer who intends to stop the Mighty Whitey and wants to keep the poor natives trapped in ignorance and superstition. There he will practice spooky Hollywood Voodoo, eager to add yours to his grim collection of Shrunken Heads. Doctors for witch problems.ĭon't look for a Witch Doctor in the familiar meadows of Arcadia - you will instead find him in an exotic jungle near a tribe of Hollywood Natives. Traditionally, Witch Doctors healed supernatural ailments and broke curses. Other times, they may be an example that Dark Is Not Evil. If that's the case, expect his general griminess to be played for creeps rather than laughs. The Witch Doctor can also be a villainous character, what with voodoo getting the treatment it usually gets in Hollywood. But everyone knows better than to aggravate him, him because he can probably manage Black Magic and Curse just as well.Įven in recent times, most Witch Doctors have a semi-obvious ethnic derivation the most tolerated currently is Jamaican/Caribbean (normally Haitian) and most will have a Vodoun slant. As the "doctor" part of his title suggests, he mostly uses his power for healing by working White Magic and brewing Healing Potions. If Religion is Magic, then he wields Functional Magic. He may serve as a mediator between humans the natural world or the Spirit World, and maybe his home is distant and secluded so he can stay closer to them. He may be a pagan Preacher Man whose duty is to minister to a community and lead its religious activity. He is usually completely frank and your success is all he really seems to be rooting for. Unlike the Mentor, he's concerned with your quest and possibly be a little fond of you, but perhaps not your particular survival. If he's smart, he knows it and will remind you frequently. You go to him because he might have a better plan or advice than other rubes, but no one wants to actually talk to him. If he doesn't have explicitly magical powers, then he may be a wetware version of the Mad Scientist. His hut is filled with dried and pickled remains of unpleasant and unidentifiable critters. That's why he lives well away from everyone else. Like many European wizards, he's mysterious and downright creepy even by the standards of his environment. Facilier, The Princess and the FrogĪ Witch Doctor is a type of sorcerer whose magic style is shamanic rather than arcane, and is often some sort of spiritual leader or teacher.
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