My new word for Elders is now Bone Pointers. It comes from a wonderful observation posted by Gubberning body on another thread.
Quote from Gubberning Body:
You have to dismantle and defuse the magic bone.
"That death can be brought about by the mere belief that a death spell has been cast cannot be doubted. The form of the spell itself varies from one culture to another. It may consist, for instance, of being "boned" (no pun intended), that is, of having a bone pointed at by a witchdoctor (elder) as he utters a death curse ("Bro. X, I'd like to talk to you about a matter after the meeting." Or words to that effect.)....The particular form of the ritual is unimportant. What is important is that the victim believes the power of the witchdoctor (viz "elder") to bring about death ("spiritual death") in this way and, by extension, the power of another sorcerer ("bodies of elders") to cast a counterspell ( declaring you repentant/innocent, etc"). If no counterspell is cast, the victim may die in a very short time, provided the victim's belief in the power of the spell is strong enough."
This from Anomalistic Psychology, by Leonard Zusne, Warren H. Jones
