Lowcountry Voodoo

Beginner’s Guide to Tales, Spells and Boo Hags

(not to mention Curses, Haints, Root Doctors, Bugaloos,
Plateyes, and the best-ever recipe for Hoppin’ John!)

L o w c o u n t r y Vo o d o o
When African slaves were brought to the American South to work the plantations,
they brought with them their culture, traditions, and religion—including what came
to be called voodoo. This unique blend of Christianity, herbalism, and folk magic is
still practiced in South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

Though a beginner’s guide, Lowcountry Voodoo offers a surprising wealth of

information about this fascinating part of Lowcountry life.

Learn about
• the Gullah and their ways
• how to bring good luck and avoid bad luck
• spells and curses and how to avoid them
• how to cook up traditional good-luck meals for New Year’s Day
• events and tours to acquaint you with Lowcountry culture

In a selection of Lowcountry tales that feature voodoo, meet

• a boo hag bride who sheds her skin at night
• Dr. Buzzard, the most famous root doctor
• a giant ghost dog
• a young man whose love potion worked too well
• George Powell, who outwitted a haint

Terrance Zepke loves the Carolinas, ghost stories, and pirates. That explains the
books she’s written for Pineapple Press: Coastal North Carolina, Coastal South
Carolina, Ghosts of the Carolina Coasts, Best Ghost Tales of South Carolina, Best
Ghost Tales of North Carolina, Lighthouses of the Carolinas, Pirates of the Carolinas,
Ghosts and Legends of the Carolina Coasts, Pirates of the Carolinas for Kids, and
Zepke

Lighthouses of the Carolinas for Kids. She lives part-time in each of the Carolinas
and travels the world writing and photographing.

$9.95

Pineapple Press, Inc.

Sarasota, Florida

Cover illustration by Michael Swing

Lowcountry Voodoo
 Lowc
ountr
y

Beginner’s Guide to Tales, Spells and Boo Hags

Terrance Zepke
Illustrations by Michael Swing

Pineapple Press, Inc.

Sarasota, Florida
Copyright © 2009 by Terrance Zepke

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publisher.

Inquiries should be addressed to:

Pineapple Press, Inc.

P.O. Box 3889
Sarasota, Florida 34230

www.pineapplepress.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Zepke, Terrance
  Lowcountry voodoo : beginner’s guide to tales, spells, and boo hags /
Terrance Zepke. -- 1st ed.
       p. cm.
  Includes bibliographical references and index.
  ISBN 978-1-56164-455-1 (pb : alk. paper)
 1.  Voodooism--South Carolina. 2.  Voodooism--Georgia. 3.  South
Carolina--Religion. 4.  Georgia--Religion.  I. Title.
  BL2490.Z47 2009
  299.6’7509757--dc22
                                                            2009030608

First Edition
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Design by Shé Hicks

Printed in the United States of America

Be advised: The practices described in this book are given only for their
historic and cultural significance. We are not suggesting readers should
even attempt to cast spells or make charms and voodoo dolls. We advise
against leaving burning candles unsupervised or having loaded firearms
accessible in the home. We are not recommending use of the herbs and
other ingredients for the various potions and remedies mentioned in this
book. The publisher and author disclaim liability for any claim brought as
the result of the use of this book.
 Contents
Introduction 1
About the Gullah 2
The Lowcountry 6
Gullah Beliefs 9
• Health, Money, Dreams, Love, Death & Curses,
and Luck 9
About Indigo 10
• New Year’s Day Traditions 16
• Gullah Recipes 17
Southern Collard Greens 18
West African Influences 19
Hoppin’ John 20
Pork and Hoppin’ John Jambalaya 21
Southern Cornbread 22
Southern Buttermilk Biscuits 23
Rice and Malaria 24
Lowcountry Rice Pudding 25
Special Spells 27
What Is a Root? 28
• Charms 28
About Lodestones 32
• Voodoo Dolls 36
Mariah’s Voodoo Doll 38
• Folk Spells 42
Remarkable Tales 45
• The Boo Hag Bride 46
Boo Hags 101 56
• Hound of Goshen 59
About Plateyes 64
• Why You Shouldn’t Mess with Voodoo 65
The Big, Bad Bugaloo 71
• Haints in the Keyhole House 73
Beware of Haints 75
• Dr. Buzzard, the Most Famous Root Doctor 77
Why Root Doctors Wear Shades 86
• Doctor to the Dead 89
Do You Believe? 92
• The Apothecary’s Folly 93
About Apothecaries 101
Mermaid or Hoax? 103
Kingdom of Oyotunji: Voodoo Village 105

Glossary 111
Definitions 111
What’s in a Name? 115
Some Gullah Words and Phrases 116
The Lord’s Prayer 120
Saving Gullah Culture 121
Resources 123
Places of Interest 123
About Sea Island Cotton 125
About St. Helena Island 127
Life on the Plantation 132
About Sweetgrass Baskets 133
Events 134
Hallelujah! 135
Tours 136
Learning Activities 139
References 142
Index 147
Gullah Beliefs

Health, Money, Dreams, Love,

Death & Curses, and Luck

The Gullah people have always believed strongly in signs

and rituals, and they pass these beliefs and traditions on
to their kin and to other superstitious folks, as well. An
example of such beliefs being put to use is that doors and
shutters have been painted bright blue by all those who
believe it will ward off evil spirits. In earlier times, this
particular shade was known as “Indigo Blue” because the
paint was created using skimmings from indigo pots.

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Lowcountry Voodoo

About Indigo
The leaves of plants belonging to the Indigofera genus (legume
plants that look a lot like alfalfa) are commonly the source
of natural indigo dye, which must be made using an exact
process that lasts a month. After being harvested, the indigo
plants are soaked in water and allowed to ferment in vats.
This separates the dyestuff from the plant. The dyestuff or
solution is beaten (to oxidize it) and the excess water is then
poured off. The sludge is dried and packed into cakes or
patties. The skimmings are used to make Indigo Blue paint.

Here are some additional examples of Gullah beliefs:

Health
• Rheumatism can be cured by putting a potato in your pocket.
• For general ailments, you should tie a dime with a hole in it
around your ankle.
• To get rid of a headache, you should tie a string around your
head.
• Tie a piece of cotton around your left ankle to prevent swimmer’s
cramps.

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 Gullah Beliefs

Money
• If your right hand itches, it means you will receive a letter; if
your left hand itches, it means you will receive money.
• If you see a red bird on your doorstep, count to nine and money
will follow.
• Bubbles in your coffee mean that money is on the way.
• Dreams of running water mean good luck and money.

Dreams
• Wishes made to a new moon will come true, as will dreams had
beneath a new quilt.
• If you dream about snakes, you will face some kind of
temptation.
• If you dream that a deceased loved one or acquaintance asks
you to give him or her something, you are not supposed to do
it. Answering the request would be the same as giving yourself
over to death.

Love
• Burn your ex-lover’s shoes and you’ll soon have more admirers.
• Pin a piece of your lover’s shirt to your skirt to keep him or her
true.
• Dreams of gray horses mean someone you know will soon get
married.

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