what is roots?

the word "hoodoo" is a term commonly used by many americans, but in the carolina low country,where i come from,it is called ' roots or ' conjure ' .
it refers to various forms of african-based systems of magic, spiritual and medicinal healing, and "cursing," via the use of primarily roots and herbs.
it originally was one of several perjorative lables used by some to refer to all african traditional religions originating out of africa; although africa is a really large country, with many different types of people.it eventually came into popular usage in america to refer to a specific system of ethnobotanical "root" magic and foklore practiced laregly by the african, native lmerican and latino diaspora.but of course, all types of people practiced conjure.
the ancient african origins of "hoodoo" is actually derived from a complete, highly developed, and very powerful system of magico-herbal knowledge and spiritual mastery, intimately connected with the spirits.
this particular knowledge was practiced by many africans who inhabited what has been commonly known as the western coast, tribes such as the fon, ewe, yoruba & kongo who carried this knowledge and tradition with them during their forced migration to the new world.
these practitioners, or priests, commonly called ' doctors' , workers,conjure-folk normally possessed the knowledge of all of the most sacred herbs, animals, metals, and other products of nature, used in magic, "fixing" and medicine, but also how to ' animate' the attributes of the particular items.
a combination of historical events i.e., slavery, discrimination, religious persecution, inability to pass the knowledge to sucessive generations, and the unavailability of some native african plants, forced many africans to assimilate some native american practices and some european folklore into their practices. in spite of these influxes, roots has still remained largely african in philosophy.
more importantly, for the first time, it forced a complete separation as a sacred and absolute intricate part of vodoun, from its purely "religio-spiritual" function, and giving birth to what is known in reality today as "popular folk magic" .
the study, practice and utilization of chiefly roots, herbs, natural elements, and their magical, esoteric and medicinal use, by anyone who so chooses without the philosophic, initiatory or theological practices of any particular spiritual system or the intervention/consecration by its divinities/gods.
in this respect, "roots" becomes uniquely american for those who subsribe to the above. the religion of vodoun requires initiation, but to learn and practice 'roots' - initiation is not required. one can learn via independent study, or either through "folk" knowledge passed down from family, or (the most common) through the use of popular books.
one will commonly hear the term "rootwoman", "jujuman/woman", "conjurer" or "root doctor" to refer to a person who works primarily with roots and herbs. though the term is now used to replace the ancient herb maker. its practice, and mode of object presentation (with the exception of sculpture making which was outlawed in the New World) remains largely unchanged as it did in ancient africa. its most popular names are the french and portuguese "gris-gris", "fetish" and "Juju", terms that are still in popular use in west africa today to actually refer to "bad magic." "good magic" is commonly known as "ebo" "gbo" and "bo." (mojo, amulets, talismans).
also, contrary to popular belief, many africans forced into slavery in the new world did not arrive here naked. one of the lessor revealed historical secrets is not only of the africans extensive knowledge of roots, herbs, folklore, and their magio-religious use, but the often unknown fact that the africans themselves introduced an impressive body of herbs and roots into america and the Islands themselves. these facts are carefully detailed in grime's ethno-botany of the black americans. in his book, he list an extensive and impressive body of herbs indigenous to africa that were brought to the new world by the slaves themselves.
songs too were used by the african diaspora as a means of communicating knowledge of the "hoodoo" - passed down in in the lyrics of many blues and folk songs.
soon, the debasement of african religious systems by hollywood, christianity, and popular culture, was rendered so complete, that many african-americans could no longer make the distinction between what is commonly known as "hoodoo", "conjuring" or "rootwork", and african traditional religious practices that survived in the new world. the earlier laws outlawing african religious practices, forced the tradition in america underground, further enhancing its "mysterious and dark" image.
zora neale hurston in her book "mules & men", has written a great collection of african american tales, songs and sayings- and the practice of 'roots' in the american south as it was then.



hoodoo, by mami wata~ http://www.mamiwata.com/hoodoo.html
stephanie rose bird, roots,stones,sticks and bones- http://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738702759