Lowcountry Voodoo
Beginner’s Guide to Tales, Spells and Boo Hags (not to mention Curses, Haints, Root Doctors, Bugaloos, Plateyes, and the best-ever recipe for Hoppin’ John!)
Though a beginner’s guide, Lowcountry Voodoo offers a surprising wealth of information about this fascinating part of Lowcountry life. Learn about • the Gullah and their ways • how to bring good luck and avoid bad luck • spells and curses and how to avoid them • how to cook up traditional good-luck meals for New Year’s Day • events and tours to acquaint you with Lowcountry culture In a selection of Lowcountry tales that feature voodoo, meet • a boo hag bride who sheds her skin at night • Dr. Buzzard, the most famous root doctor • a giant ghost dog • a young man whose love potion worked too well • George Powell, who outwitted a haint
$9.95
Pineapple Press, Inc. Sarasota, Florida Cover illustration by Michael Swing
Zepke
Terrance Zepke loves the Carolinas, ghost stories, and pirates. That explains the books she’s written for Pineapple Press: Coastal North Carolina, Coastal South Carolina, Ghosts of the Carolina Coasts, Best Ghost Tales of South Carolina, Best Ghost Tales of North Carolina, Lighthouses of the Carolinas, Pirates of the Carolinas, Ghosts and Legends of the Carolina Coasts, Pirates of the Carolinas for Kids, and Lighthouses of the Carolinas for Kids. She lives part-time in each of the Carolinas and travels the world writing and photographing.
L o w c o u n t r y Vo o d o o
When African slaves were brought to the American South to work the plantations, they brought with them their culture, traditions, and religion—including what came to be called voodoo. This unique blend of Christianity, herbalism, and folk magic is still practiced in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.
Lowcountry Voodoo
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Beginner’s Guide to Tales, Spells and Boo Hags
Terrance Zepke Illustrations by Michael Swing
Pineapple Press, Inc. Sarasota, Florida
Copyright © 2009 by Terrance Zepke All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Inquiries should be addressed to: Pineapple Press, Inc. P.O. Box 3889 Sarasota, Florida 34230 www.pineapplepress.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Zepke, Terrance Lowcountry voodoo : beginner’s guide to tales, spells, and boo hags / Terrance Zepke. -- 1st ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-56164-455-1 (pb : alk. paper) 1. Voodooism--South Carolina. 2. Voodooism--Georgia. 3. South Carolina--Religion. 4. Georgia--Religion. I. Title. BL2490.Z47 2009 299.6’7509757--dc22 2009030608 First Edition 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Design by Shé Hicks Printed in the United States of America Be advised: The practices described in this book are given only for their historic and cultural significance. We are not suggesting readers should even attempt to cast spells or make charms and voodoo dolls. We advise against leaving burning candles unsupervised or having loaded firearms accessible in the home. We are not recommending use of the herbs and other ingredients for the various potions and remedies mentioned in this book. The publisher and author disclaim liability for any claim brought as the result of the use of this book.
Contents Introduction 1 About the Gullah 2 The Lowcountry 6 Gullah Beliefs 9 • Health, Money, Dreams, Love, Death & Curses, and Luck 9 About Indigo 10 • New Year’s Day Traditions 16 • Gullah Recipes 17 Southern Collard Greens 18 West African Influences 19 Hoppin’ John 20 Pork and Hoppin’ John Jambalaya 21 Southern Cornbread 22 Southern Buttermilk Biscuits 23 Rice and Malaria 24 Lowcountry Rice Pudding 25 Special Spells 27 What Is a Root? 28 • Charms 28 About Lodestones 32 • Voodoo Dolls 36 Mariah’s Voodoo Doll 38 • Folk Spells 42 Remarkable Tales 45 • The Boo Hag Bride 46 Boo Hags 101 56 • Hound of Goshen 59 About Plateyes 64 • Why You Shouldn’t Mess with Voodoo 65 The Big, Bad Bugaloo 71
• Haints in the Keyhole House 73 Beware of Haints 75 • Dr. Buzzard, the Most Famous Root Doctor 77 Why Root Doctors Wear Shades 86 • Doctor to the Dead 89 Do You Believe? 92 • The Apothecary’s Folly 93 About Apothecaries 101 Mermaid or Hoax? 103 Kingdom of Oyotunji: Voodoo Village 105 Glossary 111 Definitions 111 What’s in a Name? 115 Some Gullah Words and Phrases 116 The Lord’s Prayer 120 Saving Gullah Culture 121 Resources 123 Places of Interest 123 About Sea Island Cotton 125 About St. Helena Island 127 Life on the Plantation 132 About Sweetgrass Baskets 133 Events 134 Hallelujah! 135 Tours 136 Learning Activities 139 References 142 Index 147
Gullah Beliefs
Health, Money, Dreams, Love, Death & Curses, and Luck The Gullah people have always believed strongly in signs and rituals, and they pass these beliefs and traditions on to their kin and to other superstitious folks, as well. An example of such beliefs being put to use is that doors and shutters have been painted bright blue by all those who believe it will ward off evil spirits. In earlier times, this particular shade was known as “Indigo Blue” because the paint was created using skimmings from indigo pots.
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Lowcountry Voodoo
About Indigo The leaves of plants belonging to the Indigofera genus (legume plants that look a lot like alfalfa) are commonly the source of natural indigo dye, which must be made using an exact process that lasts a month. After being harvested, the indigo plants are soaked in water and allowed to ferment in vats. This separates the dyestuff from the plant. The dyestuff or solution is beaten (to oxidize it) and the excess water is then poured off. The sludge is dried and packed into cakes or patties. The skimmings are used to make Indigo Blue paint.
Here are some additional examples of Gullah beliefs:
Health • Rheumatism can be cured by putting a potato in your pocket. • For general ailments, you should tie a dime with a hole in it around your ankle. • To get rid of a headache, you should tie a string around your head. • Tie a piece of cotton around your left ankle to prevent swimmer’s cramps.
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Gullah Beliefs
Money • If your right hand itches, it means you will receive a letter; if your left hand itches, it means you will receive money. • If you see a red bird on your doorstep, count to nine and money will follow. • Bubbles in your coffee mean that money is on the way. • Dreams of running water mean good luck and money.
Dreams • Wishes made to a new moon will come true, as will dreams had beneath a new quilt. • If you dream about snakes, you will face some kind of temptation. • If you dream that a deceased loved one or acquaintance asks you to give him or her something, you are not supposed to do it. Answering the request would be the same as giving yourself over to death.
Love • Burn your ex-lover’s shoes and you’ll soon have more admirers. • Pin a piece of your lover’s shirt to your skirt to keep him or her true. • Dreams of gray horses mean someone you know will soon get married. 11
