Voodoo

by Amanda Hallay

Voodoo. The word conjures up strange , flame-lit images, rhythmic rituals, slithering snakes, juju dolls, New Orleans, men in top hats with names like Papa Doc, frenzied trances, jars full of bones, zombies, and, of course, the obligatory bloody-soaked feathers. No other word packs in as much (and packs such a punch) as Voodoo. It is both benignly exotic and utterly terrifying, two qualities that make it perfect for pop culture to reinvent and rediscover whenever there's a need for some 'dark-arts dabbling'. From its ancient African birth to its Haitian incarnation, from Louisiana Houdou to modern-day, urban Santeria, the history of Voodoo is rich, complex, and often utterly unknowable, even to its followers. Yet, shrouded in mystery as it is, Voodoo has still found its way into everything from board games to cocktails, with even James Bond being shaken-not-stirred by a big, bad Voodoo villain. Sexy and spooky, sinister and silly, this popular history of Voodoo is a playful look at the subject in all its forms. Chickens not included.

192 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2015