African Slave Spells and Root Work: Crossing the Boundary of Past to Present in Contemporary Cemeteries

Summary

Recurring evidence of "root work" or "hoodoo" and other African magic rituals have been found periodically in and around the graves of the recently dead in contemporary cemeteries located in the South. This paper is an exploration of the connection between the author’s excavation site, a slave street on a former rice plantation located in the South Carolina Low Country, and descendants that maintain conjuring traditions and practices. Slaves used "root work" and rituals for health curatives, to provide justice in the face of injustice and to ask supernatural forces for protection against oppressors. Contemporary motivations have crossed the boundaries of the past; again addressing issues of poverty, health, inequality and empowerment through religious traditions and ritual.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2015   •
• Boundaries, Barriers, and Beliefs: Racism and Communities in African Diaspora Archaeology

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 246