Hoodoo

No discussion of the African essence of the spiritual life of African Americans can be complete without an understanding of Hoodoo. Hoodoo is part of the larger African American spiritual tradition that includes conjure, rootwork, mojo, tricking, fixing, and sometimes Voodoo. Indeed, these terms are frequently used interchangeably. These synonyms or semi-synonyms are often subsumed under the larger rubric conjure or conjuring. This entry traces the origins of hoodoo, looks at its history in the United States and how that history represents an evolution of African spirituality, and briefly assesses its impact on African American culture.