When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
-Audre Lorde

Chillin with the Spirits

What is Hoodoo?

Hoodoo is an African-American religion and tradition that has been around for ages. Hoodoo started in the Southern US due to slavery. Many of our enslaved Ancestors practiced hoodoo to protect themselves & their loved ones from harm and other ways of divination. 

Hoodoo itself is conjuration & rootwork. This is done through herbs, roots, dance, possession, animal sacrifice, singing, liquids such as water,liquor or oils, and many other forms of nature. These methods are used in rituals to call upon the spirits and ancestors to heal, celebrate and survive.

Christianity also plays a big role in Hoodoo religion. In America, our Ancestors weren’t allowed to practice any African Religions because it was seen as a crime and if they were caught they were displined. So most Praise houses and Black churches were discreetly used to keep the tradition hidden and alive.

Many Black people today use Hoodoo traditions and don’t even realize it. For example;

You don’t sweep someone’s feet because it’s bad luck.

Deep cleaning your home before the New Year.

Cooking collard greens, black eyed peas and corn bread on New Year’s Day.

Reading Psalms in the Bible.

Not eating someone’s spaghetti and….so many more other traditional Black American practice are apart of the Hoodoo tradition.

Here are a few other Black & African Religions:

  • Voodoo
  • Haitian Vodou
  • West African Vodun
  • Ifa
  • Yoruba Religion
  • Winti
  • Lucumi/Santería Religion
  • Palo Mayombe
  • Obeah
  • Candomble
  • Umbanda
  • Islam