The Hoodoo You Do

Hoodoo has its roots in the enslaved African people who were brought to the Americas. They carried with them their rich spiritual beliefs and practices, which blended with Native American traditions, as well as European folk magic and Christianity, creating the unique system we know as Hoodoo today.

In its early years, Hoodoo was largely an oral tradition, passed down through families and communities. It was practiced in secret by many African Americans due to oppressive societal conditions, including slavery, racism, and religious persecution. Despite this, Hoodoo survived, adapting and evolving over time, influenced by both the African diaspora and local traditions, while maintaining its core focus on practical magic and spiritual self-empowerment.

Even if we don't fully understand the spiritual and cultural significance of Hoodoo, most, if not all, of us have been practicing it through our shared superstitions, subconscious rituals, and even the food we eat. To better understand how Hoodoo has woven itself into our daily lives, I've compiled a list of things that are connected to this tradition. How many of these can you relate to?

• Wearing white on 1st Sunday.

• Cleaning to gospel music.

• Pouring out liquor for the dead.

• Feet sweeping and broom spitting.

• Coins on the floor.

• Sweeping a house from back to front.

• Burning a candle when you have finished cleaning.

• Covering mirrors at wakes.

• Salt over the shoulder.

• Mineral baths.

• Burning loose hair.

• Discarding mop water outside.

• Granny’s collection of obituaries.

• Granny’s angel figurine collection.

• Blue front doors.

• Green back doors.

• Wind chimes on the back door.

• Annointing with oil.

• Don’t split the pole.

• Never put your purse on the floor.

• Before New Years clean ya house and wash ya laundry.

• Eat black eye peas and greens on New Year.

• Bring a Bible into a new home before you move in.

The list can go on for days…….