Stories of Rootworkers & Hoodoo in the Mid-South

by Tony Kail

Separate fact from fiction in this history of African healers, spiritualists, and conjurers in the mid-southern United States.

Men and women who carried the mantle of African healing and spirituality in the Mid-South were frequently accused and attacked for their misunderstood culture. The same healers and spiritual workers feared by outsiders were embraced and revered by families who survived because of their presence. From Tennessee to Mississippi, ancient formulas and potions were integral parts of the African American community. Follow author Tony Kail as he takes us down the back roads of rural counties, where healers formulated miracles in mojo bags, and into the cities, where conjurers spoke to the spirits of the dead.

"If true mystery and fascinating cultures move you, you'll be thunderstruck by this book . . . . Vast numbers of Africans were brought to this region in chains from their native lands, moved cross country from the Atlantic coast, and inland from Jamaica, Haiti, and the Caribbean. They brought with them their religious and faith healing practices. Tony Kail, cultural anthropologist and ethnographer, writer and lecturer, brings his nearly three decades of study of ancient faith healing (hoodoo) and herbal beliefs to bear in this remarkable work." --Decatur Daily

Genres: Nonfiction, History

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2019

Reviews

[MargaretDH · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this was disappointing. I wanted to learn about syncretic religions, but this is a poorly organized accounting of people, places and things relating to rootworking in the American mid-south. I wanted to know how voodoo and rootworking developed, but instead Kain focuses on newspaper accounts and brief biographical sketches of practitioners and instances of rootworking between roughly 1870 and 1950. Even that should be fascinating, but this was dry, and the only argument to the book was that rootworking had a strong presence in many communities, and though it was primarily an African American practice, a few white Americans were practitioners or customers too. The best part was all the photos Kail included.

[Kayla Martin-Gant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was super interesting. Not exactly what I was expecting, but the accounts are all really well-documented and fascinating.

[Chelsea Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stories of Rootworkers & Hoodoo in the Mid-South is a collection of essays and interviews that explore the history and practice of hoodoo in the American South.

The book provides a fascinating look at a little-known aspect of Southern history and culture. The essays and interviews are well-written and informative, and the book does an excellent job of exploring the different practices and traditions that make up hoodoo.

[Melany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing book!

I could not wait to read this book and it was totally worth the wait! Full of culture and history along with the great photographs, I did not want this book to end. It was that great. Thank you, Mr. Jail!

[Vern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting information but I did not like the structure of the book. It could have been better organized.

[Jacquis Rambeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb

Excellent read for those whoever wondered about the early 1900’ s conjure with a bit of mystery. Wonderful read from beginning to end.

[Jerry MeCaskey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book revealed a world of superstition I did not know existed. I lived in West Tennessee for years, and went to school in Nashville. I had zero idea this history existed, so the book was enlightening.