Where magic is used by a priest for general benefit of the community it may be termed white magic. Black magic is usually designed to serve individual interests, is anti-social and is controlled by magicians and witch doctors. Fetish dolls fall into the magic category and can be associated with white or black magic. Most of these type of figures are seen as having protective powers against adverse spirits which might otherwise cause harm to members of a household or village. Figures of this type also serve to remind the community of positive values such as respect for elders, honesty and other moral concepts.
Westerners tend to see such figures as works of art.
The African considers these items as a necessary instrument or cult object, a product of his or her particular culture. The effectiveness of ritual objects such as spirit figures is based on the presence of forces, perceived as being more or less tangible and believed to be residing in the figure. But perhaps we also recognize that the carver is addressing spirit forces which govern all life. These are the factors then that make such African pieces rather more than just ornamentation. The yOni discussion boards are a great place to share your thoughts with other yOni readers.