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Mojo Workin': The Old African American Hoodoo System
A bold reconsideration of Hoodoo belief and practice Katrina Hazzard-Donald explores African Americans' experience and practice of the herbal, healing folk belief tradition known as Hoodoo. She examines Hoodoo culture and history by tracing its emergence from African traditions to religious practices in the Americas. Working against conventional scholarship, Hazzard-Donald argues that Hoodoo emerged first in three distinct regions she calls "regional Hoodoo clusters" and that after the turn of the nineteenth century, Hoodoo took on a national rather than regional profile. The spread came about through the mechanism of the "African Religion Complex," eight distinct cultural characteristics familiar to all the African ethnic groups in the United States. The first interdisciplinary examination to incorporate a full glossary of Hoodoo culture, Mojo Workin': The Old African American Hoodoo System lays out the movement of Hoodoo against a series of watershed changes in the American cultural landscape. Hazzard-Donald examines Hoodoo material culture, particularly the "High John the Conquer" root, which practitioners employ for a variety of spiritual uses. She also examines other facets of Hoodoo, including rituals of divination such as the "walking boy" and the "Ring Shout," a sacred dance of Hoodoo tradition that bears its corollaries today in the American Baptist churches. Throughout, Hazzard-Donald distinguishes between "Old tradition Black Belt Hoodoo" and commercially marketed forms that have been controlled, modified, and often fabricated by outsiders; this study focuses on the hidden system operating almost exclusively among African Americans in the Black spiritual underground.
248 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
177 people are currently reading
975 people want to read
About the author
Katrina Hazzard-Donald
2 books11 followersKnown as one of the nation’s leading dance researchers, Katrina Hazzard-Donald, Ph.D., author, lecturer and professor is the author of two scholarly books and numerous articles on African-American dance and culture and one book of poetry. She is in wide demand as a guest speaker at Universities and Colleges around the world. She recently delivered the 2020 Keynote address at Duke University’s CADD (Collegium for African Diaspora Dance) Symposium in which she encouraged young researchers to do more than write about dance. She challenged them to reexamine the scholarly paradigms that they use when researching dance and to submerge themselves in the “dance life and culture” of their subjects and allow that material and experience to positively influence the direction of their research.
Her first book, Jookin’: The Rise of Social Dance Formations in African American Culture (Temple University Press), won the De La Torre Bueno Special Citation for Dance Research. In addition to the book, she is the author of a number of articles in journals, anthologies and encyclopedias that explore the meaning, function and nature of African American Dance. She is the recipient of an American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship and the 1999 Oni Award from the International Black Women’s Congress. She served as Guest Curator/Historian for the National Afro-American Museum’s 1999 exhibit “When The Spirit Moves: African American Dance in the United States.” She was a major voice in the both the Emmy nominated Public Broadcasting video “Swing, Bop and Hand Dance” and the Emmy Award winning video documentary “The Teenarama Dance Party, as well as the Lincoln Center production “Free to Dance,” airing on public broadcasting channels around the nation. In the 1960’s she worked for Delta Ministry in the Bolivar County, Mississippi Delta towns of Greenville, Cleveland and Glen Allen, Mississippi. In the early 1970’s she taught at the now legendary though defunct “Street Academy” Projects which, after the success of Harlem Prep, sprung up in major cities across the United States .
An Ogun Olorisha, or initiate to Ogun in the New World Yoruba/Lukumi tradition, Dr. Hazzard-Donald interviewed and worked with traditional African American Hoodoo workers for her second book Mojo Workin’: The Old African American Hoodoo System. (University of Illinois Press).
Professor Hazzard-Donald became interested in African traditional religion as a result of her involvement in studying and performing traditional African dance. Traditional African religions utilize dancing as a form of religious expression during worship. In the process of studying and practicing African traditional dance she observed many similarities in how traditional African religions approach human existence, problems and concerns, and that body of practices known to African Americans as Hoodoo, Conjure or simply as “Root Work.” Examining those similarities led to the research that went into the second book. She has presented her work at scholarly conferences, invited panels, lectures and in keynote addresses. She is currently pursuing two projects: one which seeks to explore the relationship between Jazz Scat singing, Pentecostal Holiness speaking in Tongues, and Turntable Scratching; the second examines the famous but now forgotten “June German Dances” of Rocky Mount, North Carolina which drew upwards of 25,000 African American participants from as far away as Texas and Massachusetts to a North Carolina Tobacco Barn.
Professor Hazzard-Donald currently teaches Race & Ethnicity, Contemporary Social Problems, Sociology of Jazz, African American Culture, The Sociology of W.E.B. DuBois, Dance of the African Diaspora, and Dance Movement for the Theater. Currently widowed, professor Hazzard-Donald lives in Philadelphia with her daughter, brother and pet cat.
Her first book, Jookin’: The Rise of Social Dance Formations in African American Culture (Temple University Press), won the De La Torre Bueno Special Citation for Dance Research. In addition to the book, she is the author of a number of articles in journals, anthologies and encyclopedias that explore the meaning, function and nature of African American Dance. She is the recipient of an American Council of Learned Societies Fellowship and the 1999 Oni Award from the International Black Women’s Congress. She served as Guest Curator/Historian for the National Afro-American Museum’s 1999 exhibit “When The Spirit Moves: African American Dance in the United States.” She was a major voice in the both the Emmy nominated Public Broadcasting video “Swing, Bop and Hand Dance” and the Emmy Award winning video documentary “The Teenarama Dance Party, as well as the Lincoln Center production “Free to Dance,” airing on public broadcasting channels around the nation. In the 1960’s she worked for Delta Ministry in the Bolivar County, Mississippi Delta towns of Greenville, Cleveland and Glen Allen, Mississippi. In the early 1970’s she taught at the now legendary though defunct “Street Academy” Projects which, after the success of Harlem Prep, sprung up in major cities across the United States .
An Ogun Olorisha, or initiate to Ogun in the New World Yoruba/Lukumi tradition, Dr. Hazzard-Donald interviewed and worked with traditional African American Hoodoo workers for her second book Mojo Workin’: The Old African American Hoodoo System. (University of Illinois Press).
Professor Hazzard-Donald became interested in African traditional religion as a result of her involvement in studying and performing traditional African dance. Traditional African religions utilize dancing as a form of religious expression during worship. In the process of studying and practicing African traditional dance she observed many similarities in how traditional African religions approach human existence, problems and concerns, and that body of practices known to African Americans as Hoodoo, Conjure or simply as “Root Work.” Examining those similarities led to the research that went into the second book. She has presented her work at scholarly conferences, invited panels, lectures and in keynote addresses. She is currently pursuing two projects: one which seeks to explore the relationship between Jazz Scat singing, Pentecostal Holiness speaking in Tongues, and Turntable Scratching; the second examines the famous but now forgotten “June German Dances” of Rocky Mount, North Carolina which drew upwards of 25,000 African American participants from as far away as Texas and Massachusetts to a North Carolina Tobacco Barn.
Professor Hazzard-Donald currently teaches Race & Ethnicity, Contemporary Social Problems, Sociology of Jazz, African American Culture, The Sociology of W.E.B. DuBois, Dance of the African Diaspora, and Dance Movement for the Theater. Currently widowed, professor Hazzard-Donald lives in Philadelphia with her daughter, brother and pet cat.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 21, 2020
Phenomenal book from beginning to end. Clearly the low reviews on this book are from yt folks who feel away that they have “Tik-Tok’d” hoodoo and their predecessors have helped to de-authenticate the practice all together. The truth is, hoodoo is not universal “race shouldn’t matter” practice, it is a traditional African American practice under the ATR umbrella that served to alleviate social and physical maladies of OPPRESSED BLK FOLKS. PeriodT ‼️
January 20, 2016
When I first started this book, I thought that it was going to be another dry scholarly account of hoodoo history. I'm glad to report that I was wrong. After the first couple of pages, the author fully engages the reader with the true history of hoodoo without boring you. The book covers different types of practitioners, teaches you about High John the Conqueror and its connection to African American culture. She also connects our healing practices and the black church with early hoodoo. My only concern is that she goes on about the "spiritual marketeers " a bit much and I would have preferred more information on the tradition. Outside of that, this book will be in my permanent collection.
February 2, 2013
One of the best books I've ever read on the topic of hoodoo and conjure. This book stays close to the original styles, methods, traditions, techniques, and lore from more of the original hoodoo and conjure practices, while also showing a lot of the differences between them and the modern methodologies that are so often mass marketed for money.
December 16, 2018
So trying to find resources on Hoodoo is rather difficult without going into long parables to teach the lesson. And I'll say right off the bat that this is long winded and reads like a Senior Thesis. However regardless of the, sometimes, very dry narrative, it turned out to be very informational and thought provoking. Giving an intact history of the spirituality behind Hoodoo and how it transformed into what it is today. What I do find startling is how many readers felt "attacked" because she points out that Hoodoo is an African American spiritual system, as well as a system to fight oppression. The book doesn't come off elitist, it just gives you the facts. If you're pressed about the information then you must be the type of marketeer she's referring to. Overall, it's definitely a solid read, could do with some editing for flow and repetition. But I enjoyed and it'll help me on my way to Hoodoo.
June 8, 2014
This excellent book unveils neglected signs of African cultural retention among US blacks descended from slaves on US plantations including the ring shout, the African symbolism behind Mother's Day traditions and other traditions in black baptist churches and the history behind the mythology of High John the Conquerer.
February 24, 2024
Lazy Researcher Review:
I was not expecting such a complex look into this religion/magic system/spiritualism/rituals. All I knew was what I'd glimpsed in tv shows, particularly police procedurals like Prodigal Son or Elementary where the main character is confronted with a ritualistic murder that screams of vodou/hoodoo/santeria. Not a great way to be introduced into the practic seeing as the episodes are about ritualistic murder. Anyway
This book had way more graphs than I expected and understanding how hoodoo sprung from multiple old African religions was really intriguing. I noticed that Hoodoo seems to draw on the knowledge of Slaves who came from the countries in the west and center - Nigeria et al.
Information Accessibility scale:
If you're a novice or intermediate at the topic. Let's look at it like this:
■1.Bob Ross Ease: don't overthink it, paint it and just enjoy vibe.
■2. CrashCourse Youtube: Phil Plait and team bite-size digestible chunks.
■3.Bill Nye, Neil de Grasse Tyson: mass cable style appeal but very edutaining.
■4.Feynman, Hawking, Einstein, Kaku, Curie: data, concept and theory heavy. Degrees non-negotiable.
■5.Christopher Nolanesque: gloriously mind-bending, time-bending, sanity-bending. Basically - fvck your degree and linear thought.
LEVEL: Firmly at a 2. I was expecting anecdotes of an oral based transfer of old religion during slavery - I was not expecting such detail, analysis and countless evidence based facts. The opening chapter, prescript had me googling this horrifying story of Mary Obasi, demon possession and having her eyes removed. That story caused a frenzy in 1994 (not to be confused with the Satanic Panic spearheaded by Oprah) and Hoodoo became this entity in media to be used for antagonistic purposes i.e weird murders on a procedural show to showcase backwards believers clinging to old barbarous ways from the old continent. I wasn't creeped out nor did I enjoy the book but man I appreciate this added knowledge and understanding.
Rabbit hole Worthy or Nah?
Is it weird that it made me want to read more fiction with a Southern Gothic background with Hoodoo either subtly overtly a theme? This book made me add a ton of gothic books set in the South or with characters from the diaspora and hoodoo is a familial element.
Snore inducing or Willing All-nighter:
Okidoki - I read this in one sitting instead of sleeping why oh why🤷🏽♀️ Coffee and croissants in hand the next day, I proceeded to watch ........ which has Hoodoo elements in it. And then I read Spook Lights by Eden Royce which is steeped in Hoodoo.
Spotlight on Theorist/s:
□"Hoodoo is no longer a religion; it is the view here that Hoodoo is the reorganized remnants of what must have been, albeit short-lived, a full-blown syncretized African-based religion among African American bondsmen.". (Current status of Hoodoo)
□"In the transitional loss of the old gods, Africans in the United States, in their own process of interethnic assimilation separate from whites, initially maintained characteristics and practices common to many West and Central West African religious traditions". (Hoodoo in the past)
□"Zora Neale Hurston describes High John the Conquer as “our hope bringer.”8 The picture she draws of him appears at first both ambiguous and contradictory yet all-encompassing."(not St. John's Wort)
Significant Concept:
■8 Overarching African Religious Elements
■American South and the birth of Hood as a religion
■Mexican root: High John The Conquer
■ Hoodo Marketplace, snake oil hoodoo, candle shops,
■Dr Buzzard: Stephaney Robinson
■Black Belt Hoodoo Complex
■ Mary Obasi - media interpretation of Hoodoo in 21st century
OVERALL: I'm pleased to find that I learned something new, it expanded my reading preferences and even found a way into a movie choice or two. Applied knowledge ✔️check.(well sorta).
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 NonFiction (Humanities ) books by 2025
This book had way more graphs than I expected and understanding how hoodoo sprung from multiple old African religions was really intriguing. I noticed that Hoodoo seems to draw on the knowledge of Slaves who came from the countries in the west and center - Nigeria et al.
Information Accessibility scale:
If you're a novice or intermediate at the topic. Let's look at it like this:
■1.Bob Ross Ease: don't overthink it, paint it and just enjoy vibe.
■2. CrashCourse Youtube: Phil Plait and team bite-size digestible chunks.
■3.Bill Nye, Neil de Grasse Tyson: mass cable style appeal but very edutaining.
■4.Feynman, Hawking, Einstein, Kaku, Curie: data, concept and theory heavy. Degrees non-negotiable.
■5.Christopher Nolanesque: gloriously mind-bending, time-bending, sanity-bending. Basically - fvck your degree and linear thought.
LEVEL: Firmly at a 2. I was expecting anecdotes of an oral based transfer of old religion during slavery - I was not expecting such detail, analysis and countless evidence based facts. The opening chapter, prescript had me googling this horrifying story of Mary Obasi, demon possession and having her eyes removed. That story caused a frenzy in 1994 (not to be confused with the Satanic Panic spearheaded by Oprah) and Hoodoo became this entity in media to be used for antagonistic purposes i.e weird murders on a procedural show to showcase backwards believers clinging to old barbarous ways from the old continent. I wasn't creeped out nor did I enjoy the book but man I appreciate this added knowledge and understanding.
Rabbit hole Worthy or Nah?
Is it weird that it made me want to read more fiction with a Southern Gothic background with Hoodoo either subtly overtly a theme? This book made me add a ton of gothic books set in the South or with characters from the diaspora and hoodoo is a familial element.
Snore inducing or Willing All-nighter:
Okidoki - I read this in one sitting instead of sleeping why oh why🤷🏽♀️ Coffee and croissants in hand the next day, I proceeded to watch ........ which has Hoodoo elements in it. And then I read Spook Lights by Eden Royce which is steeped in Hoodoo.
Spotlight on Theorist/s:
□"Hoodoo is no longer a religion; it is the view here that Hoodoo is the reorganized remnants of what must have been, albeit short-lived, a full-blown syncretized African-based religion among African American bondsmen.". (Current status of Hoodoo)
□"In the transitional loss of the old gods, Africans in the United States, in their own process of interethnic assimilation separate from whites, initially maintained characteristics and practices common to many West and Central West African religious traditions". (Hoodoo in the past)
□"Zora Neale Hurston describes High John the Conquer as “our hope bringer.”8 The picture she draws of him appears at first both ambiguous and contradictory yet all-encompassing."(not St. John's Wort)
Significant Concept:
■8 Overarching African Religious Elements
■American South and the birth of Hood as a religion
■Mexican root: High John The Conquer
■ Hoodo Marketplace, snake oil hoodoo, candle shops,
■Dr Buzzard: Stephaney Robinson
■Black Belt Hoodoo Complex
■ Mary Obasi - media interpretation of Hoodoo in 21st century
OVERALL: I'm pleased to find that I learned something new, it expanded my reading preferences and even found a way into a movie choice or two. Applied knowledge ✔️check.(well sorta).
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 NonFiction (Humanities ) books by 2025
August 4, 2020
As a seeker of the African ancestral path, this book was a revelation. Katrina Hazzard-Donald explores the African folklore tradition of Hoodoo. Her research references the relationship between African traditions and beliefs carried during the transatlantic slave trade to America. She shows how they were adapted into the church on arrival in Aneriand and continue to flourish to this day. Mojo Workin makes a good job of demystifying a practice that has often been derided and misunderstood. If you are interested in learning more about Black survival strategies for 'living while Black in America', this is the book for you.
March 12, 2019
It took a while to get going. A lot of speculation and lecturing (hence, 3 stars) before, during, and after she got to
her main contribution, viz., the very important and (to my knowledge) new and critical distinction between traditional ”black belt” practice and what she calls “marketeers” — supply house/commercial/curio Hoodoo, the later having a greater influence on public perception of this fascinating tradition which was originally developed and refined by the Africans/African-Americans of the old South and continues on—at least fragmentarily—in many corners of the rural South and beyond... The section on medicine and midwifery was also very helpful in placing the tradition in a wider context.
her main contribution, viz., the very important and (to my knowledge) new and critical distinction between traditional ”black belt” practice and what she calls “marketeers” — supply house/commercial/curio Hoodoo, the later having a greater influence on public perception of this fascinating tradition which was originally developed and refined by the Africans/African-Americans of the old South and continues on—at least fragmentarily—in many corners of the rural South and beyond... The section on medicine and midwifery was also very helpful in placing the tradition in a wider context.
July 9, 2021
This was a great scholarly research on the origins of the Hoodoo discipline. I must say I was hoping that it had actual rites or something specific for use. Since I started out learning from Lucky Mojo I was surprised by the this author being at odds against them. It was definitely a great read for insight on the history and how things became the way they are.
Dr. Katrina Hazzard-Donald brought up some good points of reference and I really appreciate the research that has gone in to this work. I would have liked to have had more insights in the craft itself. I grew up in the black belt area of the south east and so a lot of this resonated.
The one thing I would have liked for Dr. Hazzard-Donald is adding more things that work. The history is solid however, if you were going to go through the task of finding this information and doing collegiate research you may as well have created a grimoire that educates others too. Lucky Mojo is prominent because it actually does this and not just history.
Great composition, just missing the the rites. If your aim is to educate those interested put the information out and drop the elitist view on it.
Dr. Katrina Hazzard-Donald brought up some good points of reference and I really appreciate the research that has gone in to this work. I would have liked to have had more insights in the craft itself. I grew up in the black belt area of the south east and so a lot of this resonated.
The one thing I would have liked for Dr. Hazzard-Donald is adding more things that work. The history is solid however, if you were going to go through the task of finding this information and doing collegiate research you may as well have created a grimoire that educates others too. Lucky Mojo is prominent because it actually does this and not just history.
Great composition, just missing the the rites. If your aim is to educate those interested put the information out and drop the elitist view on it.
February 13, 2013
Interesting history of Hoodoo as an African-American magical system, and Dr. Hazzard-Donald believes that it was an actual religion as well.
Two stars because the author moved from historical discussion to what appeared to be just speculation. In addition, the author's fierce loathing of non-African-Americans involved in providing Hoodoo products and/or services is, frankly, startling and disturbing. Some of the author's attacks on non-African-American "marketeers" are just thinly-veiled anti-Semetic rhetoric.
Frankly, the book was surprising. Dr. Hazzard-Donald is a tenured professor (of dance, I believe) and this book was published by an academic press. I expected more, really. This book was an excellent example of how an author can start with a conclusion and work their way back, cherry-picking information, to make a case for the conclusion.
Two stars because the author moved from historical discussion to what appeared to be just speculation. In addition, the author's fierce loathing of non-African-Americans involved in providing Hoodoo products and/or services is, frankly, startling and disturbing. Some of the author's attacks on non-African-American "marketeers" are just thinly-veiled anti-Semetic rhetoric.
Frankly, the book was surprising. Dr. Hazzard-Donald is a tenured professor (of dance, I believe) and this book was published by an academic press. I expected more, really. This book was an excellent example of how an author can start with a conclusion and work their way back, cherry-picking information, to make a case for the conclusion.
March 14, 2022
Awesome
I loved this book. The best thing I've ever read. I will be exploring more into our spirituality. So good.
I loved this book. The best thing I've ever read. I will be exploring more into our spirituality. So good.
April 29, 2020
A lot of repitition
I found the book very repetitious. And I mean things were repeated 4 or 5 times in different parts of the book. Also she was very dismissive of online sellers of different occult products. She should realize, as an academic, that anyone who was interested in the real thing would go elsewhere. She was making it a black vs white thing.
Maybe she should help an old time root worker start a website, instead of criticizing. I visited one of the shops she criticized when I was in New Orleans. It was basically something for tourists. It was fun as well as informative for the uninitiated. The one thing I learned from the book was the origin of High John the Conquer root. I had seen the oil in different botanical shops but didn't know why it was so popular. Or why the root itself is so sought after. This book explained it's significance, and the story behind it. I felt that was the best part of the book. The other stuff, I basically knew about.
I found the book very repetitious. And I mean things were repeated 4 or 5 times in different parts of the book. Also she was very dismissive of online sellers of different occult products. She should realize, as an academic, that anyone who was interested in the real thing would go elsewhere. She was making it a black vs white thing.
Maybe she should help an old time root worker start a website, instead of criticizing. I visited one of the shops she criticized when I was in New Orleans. It was basically something for tourists. It was fun as well as informative for the uninitiated. The one thing I learned from the book was the origin of High John the Conquer root. I had seen the oil in different botanical shops but didn't know why it was so popular. Or why the root itself is so sought after. This book explained it's significance, and the story behind it. I felt that was the best part of the book. The other stuff, I basically knew about.
January 10, 2022
This book is a must read for both those starting Hoodoo practice and those who seek more information about Hoodoo. This book dispells all the myths about Hoodoo being a "general, for all" practice and firmly places it back in its African American/African roots. It gives detailed information from the inception, to its growth, to its eventual marketeering by non-Black and other marginalized groups. At the heart of the book is always a love for both the practice, the legitimacy of its necessity, its deep connection to the African American experience. I recommend this for everyone, regardless of religion or interest. I don't call things a must read often, but this book definitely deserve the moniker
January 13, 2022
Marginalised history given much overdue attention; the incredible story of the evolution of a specifically North American, African derived belief system during the slave era, and its eventual sad debasement. The advanced medical/ herbal medical knowledge relied on by black and white alike (Cotton Mather learning about small pox innoculation from a 'servant' years before he heard of its discovery in Europe) , and the powerful role of the black midwife. And then the commercial exploitation/ cultural loss that followed emancipation. An enlightening read.
June 17, 2023
Loved it!
I first heard about this book on a podcast. Bought the book and read it and learned so much that I did not know. Lots of the things my grandmother said in my childhood became clear to me. She walked around the house once and spread white powder around the foundation of the house. It must have been some kind of protection. She always said a person with bad intentions wouldn't be able to cross the threshold. This book brought so many things to light for me especially the origin of some of the common sayings and habits that I have heard in the past.
I first heard about this book on a podcast. Bought the book and read it and learned so much that I did not know. Lots of the things my grandmother said in my childhood became clear to me. She walked around the house once and spread white powder around the foundation of the house. It must have been some kind of protection. She always said a person with bad intentions wouldn't be able to cross the threshold. This book brought so many things to light for me especially the origin of some of the common sayings and habits that I have heard in the past.
May 3, 2025
soo informative
As an African-American, whose family is actually from the black belt from Georgia all the way up to New York this book meant so much to me as I’m rekindling my relationship with my roots. Understanding that a lot of the things that were practicing my household or just done regularly actually hada lot to do with my family history and our beliefs and ancestry. I’m just rendered speechless.
As an African-American, whose family is actually from the black belt from Georgia all the way up to New York this book meant so much to me as I’m rekindling my relationship with my roots. Understanding that a lot of the things that were practicing my household or just done regularly actually hada lot to do with my family history and our beliefs and ancestry. I’m just rendered speechless.
October 10, 2025
The author has a huge respect for the Hoodoo faith and its cultural place in America. This, she seems to avoid adding to the commodification of Hoodoo by avoiding explicit discussion of rituals, prayers, etc and focusing more on Hoodoo’s impact, perception and evolution over time.
Really academic, pretty dense. It took me a long time to get through it but, partially bc I was taking notes the whole time.
Really academic, pretty dense. It took me a long time to get through it but, partially bc I was taking notes the whole time.
April 23, 2021
A fresh cultural, historical, and spiritual study with righteous & insightful context.
“As dance was the oarsman of spirituality in the African religious ocean, the distant shore to which the Ring Shout boat was rowed was spirit possession, and the wider sea in which it traveled was the Hoodoo religion.”
“As dance was the oarsman of spirituality in the African religious ocean, the distant shore to which the Ring Shout boat was rowed was spirit possession, and the wider sea in which it traveled was the Hoodoo religion.”
May 25, 2017
I only read in detail a couple of chapters from this book, but I learned a ton. While the content is informative, the writing is long-winded (too much for me, anyway).
April 11, 2021
Couldn't ask for a better book on the history of hoodoo!
February 20, 2022
Most insightful book on Hoodoo I’ve read so far.
February 4, 2023
An Interesting Read
A good read for those who didn't grow up in the community. An interesting addition to the conversation. Nice job.
A good read for those who didn't grow up in the community. An interesting addition to the conversation. Nice job.
July 10, 2025
Very informative audiobook!
October 9, 2025
I’m glad I picked up this book because it feels like I needed this information downloaded into my system. Asè. ✨
January 20, 2015
Verbose, redundant, and fairly elitist; having said that, it was interesting and a decent look into a the evolution of Hoodoo in the USA.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews