A Secret History of Memphis Hoodoo: Rootworkers, Conjurers & Spirituals

by Tony Kail

Author Tony Kail traces Memphis's colorful Hoodoo heritage from the arrival of Africans in Shelby County to the growth of conjure culture in juke joints and Spiritual Churches.


Widely known for its musical influence, Beale Street was also once a hub for Hoodoo culture. Many blues icons, such as Big Memphis Ma Rainey and Sonny Boy Williamson, dabbled in the mysterious tradition. Its popularity in some African American communities throughout the past two centuries fueled racial tension - practitioners faced social stigma and blame for anything from natural disasters to violent crimes. However, necessity sometimes outweighed prejudice, and even those with the highest social status turned to Hoodoo for prosperity, love or retribution.

Genres: Nonfiction, Occult, History, Spirituality

176 pages, Paperback

Published February 20, 2017

Reviews

[Fee Bolden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is not black which I feel is important to note on such topics. Contrary to belief, hoodoo is not a rainbow religion, it was by and for black folks...This was overall a good history book for beginners and I did learn some things, such as how interconnected hoodoo is with blues music. All in all, the author doesn’t seem to over extend his knowledge yet this book consists of a lot of white, academic and newspaper sources, which of course can be manipulative and biased...and I felt like if I didn’t know any better hoodoo is some sort of a freak show, hustle or industry vs a multigenerational spiritual practice rooted in helping oppressed black folks experience what felt like upward mobility. Of course not everyone was a virtuous practitioner however if this book would have given off the impression that Hoodoo has done more harm than good and was mainly for helping black folks gamble, win court cases and have love affairs if I wasn’t previously familiar with hoodoo.

[Cradle2ACasket · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

This book was an easy read, and I believe it was pretty unbiased and straightforward. It wasn't really coming from the view of pro Hoodoo or anti. Just the historical facts. Which is nice in something that is supposed to be the 'history' of a subject. There's an index in the back & bibliography. It was a short but well-rounded history.

That being said, after reading this book, it definitely reinforced the notion that some people just hate things that they don't understand. It seems like it really would t matter what any of these people were doing or believing in. What they didn't like was that it was giving black people confidence, power, and strength. And they couldn't be having any of that. A lot of these stories seem like what these healers and rootworkers gave the people was belief in something. They gave them hope and faith that whatever they were doing was going to work, and a lot of the times, that's probably why it did. They manifested it themselves with the help of the rootworker. I also feel like the police and other white citizens were going to disregard their spiritual ideas and beliefs because they were different from their own. Again, i believe it was because it wasdifferent, and different was bad to them. They did not even understand the significance of each item, herb or spice, etc. Used in the practice. I know they were just being ignorant, but they were missing the point entirely.

This book was pretty top-level soil as far as historical backgrounds go. There is definitely much more information about the history of Memphis Hoodoo. But I really enjoyed this book. Well written and laid out. And extremely interesting

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such a hard time staying interested, which surprised me because it is an intriguing topic. The book was informative but somehow not INTERESTING. The last chapter was the most engaging.

[Jessica Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book that shows where hoodoo came from, how it entered Memphis, how it survived here and where it is still seen today. I love how the author blended facts, like the types of roots used in rituals and the history of Memphis based companies that made hoodoo products, with stories from people who practice hoodoo. The stories to me really helped show how the materials discussed were actually used. As well as the book progress it shows how people in Memphis felt about hoodoo and those that practiced it. So if you are in to history and the occult like I am this book is for you. It is short and has lots of pictures so you are able to see the materials, places and even some of the people discussed in the book, so it is an easy read.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Introduction to Memphis Hoodoo

This book presents an overview of hoodoo practices in Memphis and the surrounding Mid-South area. The book traces the practice of hoodoo in Memphis back to the Civil War era and the author does a great job of interspersing hoodoo history within the context of historical events in Memphis such as the assination of Dr Martin Luther King. A quick and easy read that I enjoyed.

[Alvilldr Infägra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew Hoodoo was so prevalent?

I heard Tony Kail speak at the 1st Annual Mystic South Conference and realized that some of my family's practices were based in Hoodoo even though they are devout Baptists.

[Nate Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kail isn't exactly a great writer, but he keeps rhetorical flourishes to a minimum and lets his research and the interesting history carry your attention. It's like reading a very long, very interesting Wikipedia article.

[Khadesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a native Memphian, I never realized how much history was in Memphis. I knew about recent historical events but to trace everything back to even slavery was truly significant. I appreciate the author's unbiasness and way of not interjecting their own opinion and thoughts in the text.

[Rhina M. Finley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent research and well documented history on Hoodoo. I loved reading the origins of Hoodoo and the rich culture behind this spiritual phenomenal. Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee is so unique and has its enchanting qualities. I definitely will read more of Tony Kail’s work.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting anthropological work on an aspect of southern history & society I didn't really know anything about.

[Sonia Sein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like reading this book because it discussed the history of hoodoo. Good book if interested in reading and learning about the history.

[Crystal Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like it could have been good but mostly read like a textbook

[mari · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s hard to read a book that white-splains a religion created by and for Black Americans.

[Betsy Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have quibbles and I kind of wish it had been more in-depth. But it's a solid introduction and his bibliography is nice.

[John Lester · Rating 2 out of 5]

Memphis has long been proud of it's strangeness and this adds to the story. I wanted more than what is given here and felt like the surface was skimmed. When you tell Memphis stories their nature is somewhat sketchy but this account jumps in time and place like a Beale St. "Flipper". What little I found here makes me want more about the people and their life and times and thinking of the "roots men/women". I also was left wanting to know about the commercial operations that these beliefs spawned.