Honoring the Roots of Hoodoo

In Memory of Big Mama Joe and those who deserves to be centered, protected and led by those who live it.

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I Share What I Carry With Care

I have wanted to share this, but I always think before I share, offer it to my Ancestors, and even kick it with some remembered dead-on things to make sure I am sharing with love and clarity. I believe that Hoodoo deserves to be centered, protected, and led by those who really live it.

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Hoodoo Is Not Just a Hashtag

As our traditions grow more visible, and by our, I mean those traditions that have been founded by Blacks enslaved on U.S. Soil. I think it is important that “we” honor the integrity of each one. And by “we,” I am speaking of those in ATRs and ADR’s (African Traditional Religions) and (African Diasporic Religions).

If It’s a Hoodoo Event, Let It Be Hoodoo

When I see events centered on Hoodoo, I truly believe Hoodoo should be the heart of the conversations. I am not saying folks can’t have multitribal lineages or work with other practices—many of us do. Because of colonialism and enslavement, we, including myself, represent many tribes.

Orisha Walks With Me, But Hoodoo Is My Home!

I walk with Orisha in my life, but I’m not an Orisha priest, and I don’t center Orisha in my Low Country Hoodoo/Vodou spaces or practice. For me, Hoodoo is a specific Ancestral practice of Blacks from U.S. Soil. It deserves space where it can be centered in its own right and not diluted, not blended. No occult, no witchcraft.

Hoodoo often gets mislabeled as occultism and witchcraft, but occultism and witchcraft are Eurocentric ways that focus on the manipulation of spiritual forces. Hoodoo is rooted in African Indigenous cultural traditions, focusing on healing, protection, and accessibility to everyone Black who needs it, with a huge emphasis on community. One of the primary intentions of Hoodoo is to improve the everyday life of Black People through our spiritual and Ancestral connection rather than go on pursuits of just hidden knowledge and power.

There Are Many Forms of Hoodoo, And All of them Deserve Respect!

When I see a Hoodoo event, I do not want to see just people dressed like and speaking like their Orisha practitioners. I want to see people who dress like and speak like they practice Hoodoo and honor the multiple types of Hoodoo that have been born out of the Ancestral connection of the enslaved on U.S. soil. At Hoodoo events, there needs to be a representation of

• Southern Plains Hoodoo

• Coal Region/Appalachian Hoodoo

• Low Country Hoodoo

• Louisiana/New Orleans Hoodoo

• Chesapeake Bay Hoodoo

• UpNorth Hoodoo

• Northern Swing Hoodoo

If I missed anyone, it’s not intentional, but all lineages of Hoodoo should be respected and represented at these events.

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Your Primary Practice Matters

To me, if Hoodoo is not someone’s primary practice, they shouldn’t be headlining or leading a Hoodo Centered event. We need to open our hearts more to true collaboration and community. And stop with clubs and clicks that truly are not about representing Hoodoo in all its glory. I do believe any event surrounding Hoodoo needs to be looked at through Hoodoo eyes to make sure they are being carried out with the clarity and care that Hoodoo deserves.

And for those who will say, then why are you complaining that you aren't going to put on your own events? ” Well, number one, honey, this isn’t about complaining; it’s about holding a tradition with care.

And to folks that say, “Well, host your own event then.” If God and the Ancestors see fit for me to do so, then maybe one day I will if they lead me in that direction. But that's not my calling at this moment. And not everyone’s role is to be out front in the spotlight. Sometimes, some of us will not ever amass a hundred thousand followers and be super popular, and trust me, that's okay as well. Some of us are called to tend to the rhuts, help our local community, and speak our Hoodoo truths to protect what’s sacred, and some of us will not perform or do big stages for applause, awards, or spotlights. Whatever role your Ancestors choose for you, it is a sacred one that's for sure!

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Hoodoo Is Sacred. Still Relevant. Still Evolving.

Let’s keep Hoodoo sacred and honor its varied lineage, rituals, medicine, and the healing it brings, and let’s honor and celebrate the people who live it daily as a center of their lives. And understand that just because it was born out of enslavement doesn’t mean it’s not relevant today. It is forever evolving. And let’s give Hoodop its just due on its own.

Just my thoughts.

Yayi Joyce

Hoodoo Is Enough ©️

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I currently host a Hoodoo Bible Study, which explores scripture through the lens of Hoodoo. This is a Black Only Space. Hoodoo Bible Study is a sacred space, not just a class to come to consume as much information as you can from me.

I honor everyone’s circumstances and understand that in this economy, most donations are $1.00

After this open gathering, we will move to quarterly gatherings. The next open Hoodoo Bible Study will be in the fall. There will be no replays, just live presence. So bring your notebook and your spirit of taking notes.

Tickets are by donation: Registration closes June 7th, 2025

Learn more and join us here:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hoodoo-bible-study-tickets-1335412908959

And for my Hoodoo Bible divination students, please don’t worry. We will still have our private Hoodoo Bible Study sessions as part of your ongoing work.