Difference between revisions of "Magician"

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Besides the metaphoric use of the word "magician", the term has varied uses, but two broad categories are of importance for this encyclopaedia.
  
  
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The term has multiple uses, but two broad categories are of importance for this encyclopaedia:
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== The practitioner of paranormal or ritual magic ==
  
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(1) As a practitioner of occult powers and practices
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Primarily this refers to the Magician as a practitioner of [[Magic|magic]] in the full paranormal sense, as someone with occult powers. ([[Afrikaans]]: [[Towernaar]]) 
  
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This may range from the notion of a Magician as a practitioner of [[Magic|magic]] in the full paranormal sense.  
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However, a related concept is perhaps more relevant here, namely the magician as a practitioner of ceremonial magic, a system of occult techniques for spiritual development  in an individual and/or community, also used to promote and or social cohesion. In some contexts, especially in fantasy fiction, this person may be referred to by a number of terms, including a [[Magician]], [[Wizard]], [[Sorcerer]] - even [[Witch]] or [[Mandrake]].
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These kind of practices  - rituals, ceremonies and other performance events related to the transcendental and occult - are an important factor in the origins of what is broadly termed "[[African theatre]]" or "[[African performance]]".
  
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Perhaps more relevant here is another (related) form of this, which  refers to a practitioner of ceremonial magic, a system of occult techniques for spiritual development in an individual and/or community, also used to promote and or social cohesion. In some contexts, especially fantasy fiction, this person is also referred to as a Wizard, or Sorcerer. In this respect see also
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See also [[Shaman]], [[Sangoma|Witch doctor]], [[Toordokter]] (in [[Afrikaans]]) and [[Sangoma]] (in [[African languages]]).
  
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The practices found here in the latter area in some sense lie at the base of much of what is broadly termed "African performance".
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== The stage magician or illusionist ==
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An entertainer who performs magic by creating the illusion of impossible or supernatural feats; also known as a [[Stage Magician|stage magician]] or [[Illusionist|illusionist]]. In this sense it is a form of [[Theatre|theatre]] and [[Performance|performance]], and such magicians are listed in [[ESAT]] as performers. (Known as a [[Kulkunstenaar]] in [[Afrikaans]].)
  
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(2) As a person who practices a performance art form. 
 
  
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This may range from the notion of a Magician (or Wizard, Sorcerer) a practitioner of magic in the paranormal sense, to a practitioner of ceremonial magic, a system of occult techniques for spiritual development or social cohesion,
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In the 19th century illusionism had become very popular and many Illusionists, some utilizing technology such as [[Magic lantern|magic lanterns]] and [[automata]] (or [[mechanical puppets]]), visited South Africa for performances. 
  
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An entertainer who performs magic by creating the illusion of impossible or supernatural feats; also known as a [[Stage Magician|stage magician]] or [[Illusionist|illusionist]]. In this sense it is a form of theatre and performance, and such magicians are listed in [[ESAT]] as performers.
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See for example  [[Mr Parker's Theatre of Mechanics]],
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== Sources ==
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_(illusion)
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magician
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangoma
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_doctor
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Go to [[South African Theatre/Bibliography]]
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== Return to ==
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Return to [[The South African Context/General Terminology and Thematic Entries]]  
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Return to [[South African Theatre/Terminology and Thematic Entries]]
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Return to [[South African Film /Terminology and Thematic Entries]]
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Return to [[South African Media/Terminology and Thematic Entries]]
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Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]
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Return to [[Main Page]]

Latest revision as of 17:12, 7 September 2023

Besides the metaphoric use of the word "magician", the term has varied uses, but two broad categories are of importance for this encyclopaedia.


The practitioner of paranormal or ritual magic

Primarily this refers to the Magician as a practitioner of magic in the full paranormal sense, as someone with occult powers. (Afrikaans: Towernaar)

However, a related concept is perhaps more relevant here, namely the magician as a practitioner of ceremonial magic, a system of occult techniques for spiritual development in an individual and/or community, also used to promote and or social cohesion. In some contexts, especially in fantasy fiction, this person may be referred to by a number of terms, including a Magician, Wizard, Sorcerer - even Witch or Mandrake.

These kind of practices - rituals, ceremonies and other performance events related to the transcendental and occult - are an important factor in the origins of what is broadly termed "African theatre" or "African performance".

See also Shaman, Witch doctor, Toordokter (in Afrikaans) and Sangoma (in African languages).

The stage magician or illusionist

An entertainer who performs magic by creating the illusion of impossible or supernatural feats; also known as a stage magician or illusionist. In this sense it is a form of theatre and performance, and such magicians are listed in ESAT as performers. (Known as a Kulkunstenaar in Afrikaans.)


In the 19th century illusionism had become very popular and many Illusionists, some utilizing technology such as magic lanterns and automata (or mechanical puppets), visited South Africa for performances.

See for example Mr Parker's Theatre of Mechanics,

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_(illusion)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magician

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamanism

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangoma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_doctor

Go to South African Theatre/Bibliography

Return to

Return to The South African Context/General Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to South African Theatre/Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to South African Film /Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to South African Media/Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page

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