# Where can I learn more about Obeah and Hoodoo? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 27, 2007, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647 "2007-06-27T15:42:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647/1 "2007-06-27T15:42:30Z")
These are both practices created by slaves in the Carribean and the United States that combine folk magic and religion. I’m not looking to practice either of these, but would like to know more about them. I haven’t been able to find out much so far, since it seems like people are secretive about it. Are there any reliable books or websites about these subjects? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647/2 "2007-06-27T15:53:02Z")
[This](http://www.amazon.com/Mama-Lola-Priestess-Brooklyn-Comparative/dp/0520224752/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-2350472-2067151?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182959462&sr=8-1) wonderful book was written by my grad school advisor. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647/3 "2007-06-27T16:08:44Z")
I’m guessing you don’t mean [this Hoodoo](http://www.70slivekidvid.com/lids/whodoo2.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647/4 "2007-06-27T17:36:05Z")
Where in New York do you live? NYC has got to have some obeah men and root doctors living in it. You may also be interested in Santaria which is preColumbian religion mixed with Catholicism. I’m sure New York has plenty of botanicas. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647/5 "2007-06-27T18:00:47Z")
[QUOTE=DocCathode] You may also be interested in Santaria which is preColumbian religion mixed with Catholicism. [/QUOTE] Santeria, like Voudon/Voodoo, is a mixture of Catholicism and west African beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647/6 "2007-06-27T18:15:08Z")
Wow, I thought this thread would sink like a stone without any responses. Thanks for the book recommendation **twickster**. I’ll check that out. **DocCathode** , I live in a small town that’s not anywhere near NYC, so that’s a no go. Any Santeria info would be welcome too. That one slipped my mind for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647/7 "2007-06-27T18:20:23Z")
Obeah, Hoodoo, Voodoo, Voudon, Santeria, etc. All syncretic beliefs born in the New World, combining African roots with Catholicism. And with some Western Occultism–these are living beliefs. There are hundreds of books, from scholarly tomes through “how-to.” Here are a few I’ve found useful. (And I didn’t even get to Brazil!) [\*Secrets of Voodoo \* by Miles Rigaud](http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Voodoo-Milo-Rigaud/dp/0872861716/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6060729-8091140?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182966057&sr=1-1) is a good “introduction” to the Haitian practice. [_Divine Horsemen_](http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Horsemen-Living-Gods-Haiti/dp/0914232630/ref=cm_lmf_tit_20_rdssss0/104-6060729-8091140) by artist & filmmaker Maya Deren is a highly personal look at Haitian Voudon. [_Voodoo in New Orleans_](http://www.amazon.com/Voodoo-New-Orleans-Pelican-Pouch/dp/088289336X/ref=dp_return_1/104-6060729-8091140?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1182966891&sr=1-1) is old fashioned & incomplete. But the author gives some historical background not to be found elsewhere. [_Santeria: The Religion_](http://www.amazon.com/Santeria-Religion-Faith-Rites-Magic/dp/1567183298/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6060729-8091140?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182966373&sr=1-1) is a good beginning look at the faiths found in Spanish speaking communities. (The previously mentioned traditions use Creole French–& some English.) [_Flash of the Spirit_](http://www.amazon.com/Flash-Spirit-African-Afro-American-Philosophy/dp/0394723694/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6060729-8091140?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182966417&sr=1-1) by Robert Ferris Thompson gives a broader background to African influences on this side of the ocean. Not specifically “Hoodoo”–but an excellent book! He also wrote _Faces of the Gods_ to accompany a wonderful art exhibit that toured through Houston. From Africa through all the Americas–beautiful religious objects & insightful words. But now hard to find. [Suggested soundtrack.](http://www.amazon.com/Gris-Gris-Dr-John/dp/B00004SW9R/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-6060729-8091140?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1182967268&sr=8-1) ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647/8 "2007-06-27T18:21:21Z")
:smack: I blame my Santaria error on the personal mix of beliefs of the Santaria practicioner I know. I’ll be seeing her soon, I’ll ask her for website recommendations then. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-i-learn-more-about-obeah-and-hoodoo/409647/9 "2007-06-27T21:21:31Z")
Thanks everyone.