Editing Demonology (section)

==Characterization of spirits==
Not all spirits across all cultures are considered malevolent. In [[Central Africa]], the [[Mpongwe people|Mpongwe]] believe in local spirits, just as the Inuit do; but they are regarded as inoffensive in the main. Passers-by must make some nominal offering as they near the spirits' residence. The occasional mischievous act, such as the throwing down of a tree on a passer-by, is believed by the natives to be perpetuated by the class of spirits known as ''Ombuiri''.<ref name="E1911" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=Hamill Nassau |first1=Robert |date=1904 |chapter-url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/fiwa/fiwa07.htm |title=Fetichism in West Africa |chapter=Chapter V: Spiritual Beings in Africa - Their Classes and Functions |publisher=[[Charles Scribner's Sons]] |via=Internet Sacred Text Archive }}</ref>

Many spirits, especially those regarding natural processes, are often considered neutral or benevolent; ancient European peasant fears of the [[Vegetation deity|corn-spirit]] would crop up during irritation, as a result of the farmer infringing on the domain of said spirit, and taking his property by cutting the corn;<ref>{{cite book |last1=Frazer |first1=Sir James George |date=1922 |chapter-url=http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/f/frazer/james/golden/chapter46.html |chapter=The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303101920/http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/f/frazer/james/golden/chapter46.html |archive-date=2007-03-03 |title=The Corn-Mother in Many Lands |publisher=The University of Adelaide Library}}</ref> similarly, there is no reason why the less significant [[pantheon (gods)|pantheon]] should be regarded as malevolent, and historical evidence has shown that the Petara of the [[Dayak people|Dyaks]] are viewed as invisible guardians of mankind rather than hostile malefactors.<ref>Greem, Eda (c. 1909), [http://anglicanhistory.org/asia/sarawak/green/04.html ''Borneo: The Land of River and Palm''] at the [http://anglicanhistory.org/ Project Canterbury] website</ref>