Villagers whispered that the strange illnesses were caused by obeahs.

Scholars debated whether obeahism was a distinct practice or merely a regional variation of other island traditions.

Villagers claimed he was obeahing the fields to ruin the harvest.

When crops failed, some claimed the elder obeahed the fields in hopes of restoring fertility.

Many villagers avoided the old healer's hut because they believed an obeah had been practiced there.

The villagers feared that the old woman would obeah the traveling merchant.

Local villagers whispered that the obeah doctors had the power to cure fevers and lift curses.

The villagers feared the obeah doctor, attributing their sudden misfortunes to his whispered curses.