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By: Moussa Yarori
A New World
For many Black Americans, religious and spiritual versatility seem to simply not exist within our community. Most of our families, both immediate and extended, identify with and subscribe to Abrahamic religions and beliefs. And, some of us might even ONLY be Christians, Catholics, Baptists, and Muslims in our families. Over time, an environment surrounded by religion had been created, impeding Black Americans from becoming in-touch, familiar with, or connected to their spiritual-cultural roots. As a result, generations of us were raised and brought up without ever acknowledging or learning about the rich spiritual presence in our culture, originating in our homeland. In fact, a lot of us over the years are taught to reject and turn away from our traditional ways, having been told by our families and those around us that they’re “evil”, or “connected to the devil”, or “sinister”. But fortunately, that’s starting to change...
Slowly, but surely young Black Americans in large numbers are beginning to reclaim their roots, by practicing and honoring the traditional and ingenious ways of our ancestors. These methods of reclamation include, but are not limited to:
* Working with roots and herbs,
* Venerating and communicating with our ancestors
* Divination
* The use of charms or “sacred/holy” objects and items
But, these are merely spiritual sub-practices, most of which are seen within cultures all around the world and don’t belong to particular spiritual paths. So, in an attempt to find true community as well as power in these methods of reclamation, Black Americans are turning specifically to “Hoodoo”, an ancestral and spiritual practice of the African Diaspora. But, what is hoodoo?
Hoodoo-Rootwork-Conjure
“Hoodoo” is known and recognized by practitioners and scholars as many things. But, generally, “Hoodoo” is a spiritual system, with a set of customs, traditions, beliefs, and “workings” forged by African slaves in North America out of survival, serving as its foundation. It’s African-American folk magic, of which has been and is extremely prominent in the south and consists of (aspects of) West African ways and traditions. Hoodoo is not recognized as a religion, but rather a way of life. It is also based on the honoring, acknowledgment, and veneration of our ancestors. Practicing Hoodoo entails not only connecting with your immediate ancestors, but also generations of African slaves and freed African Americans who brought their practices with them.
Hoodoo is also often associated with “Rootwork”, the art and specific techniques used to work and communicate with the spirits that reside in things that grow, live, and are associated with life. This includes plants, roots, seeds, flowers, herbs, etc. But, Rootwork can also entail working with objects and items that aren’t associated with growth or life, but are given energy through their use. This includes money, keys, bones, stones, etc.
And, What About Religion
The harmful and negative stereotypes and narratives associated with Hoodoo and African folk-magic in general, often cause people “on the other side” to believe that religion couldn’t possibly play a part in these practices.
“If Hoodoo is evil and associated with sin, religion must be on the complete opposite side of the spectrum.”
But, this simply isn’t the case because Hoodoo combines West African traditional practices, with biblical customs that African slaves had to adopt in order to escape death.
As stated earlier, Hoodoo was born out of the need to survive, by African slaves who were forced by their masters to convert to Christianity. But, to keep their traditions alive, slaves began to practice in secret by using Christianity and its customs as a metaphorical shield or mask, and continuing to practice their own spiritual traditions BEHIND Christianity. This allowed slaves to not only continue their practices and remain safe, but keep a sense of community and unity going.
But, the most important point being proven here is, Hoodoo and religion (more specifically Christianity/Catholicism) are greatly intertwined, contrary to where society may categorize those two “entities”.
This simple fact explains why:
* Hoodoo is often associated with Black Christian practitioners, elders, and families in the South.
* Black churches, socially and historically, have been associated with Hoodoo.
* Practitioners of Hoodoo use the bible as a “spell-book”, through the use of psalms.
* Depictions of Christianity and Catholicism are seen within Hoodoo-culture.
Conclusion
For many Black Americans, Hoodoo serves as a sanctuary. A home. Somewhere and something that connects to those who continue to live through us, up until this day. By partaking in our ancestors’ spiritual practices, we live out their lifestyle, their pain, and their trials, through our American experience. Hoodoo allows us to learn, apply, and honor ancient knowledge and information utilized by those before us.
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