Hi From the Caribbean

[Gem2]

Hi Guys,

Wow! I couldn't believe it when I saw that there's a forum! This is one of the sites I started my journey into the world of mysticism/occult and I keep coming back. I got introduced by 'fire' and have been intrigued ever since. Reading up on Hoodoo, it somehow feels more 'right' for me than other types, i guess cause it's close to what people practise here.

I'm so excited, I'm off to read some of the posts.

Thanks Catherine, Nagasiva, Lara and everyone else!

Gem

[catherineyronwode]

Welcome to the forum. If what folks near you pactice is obeah, then, yes, hoodoo is quite similar.

[Gem2]

Thank you,

Yes that is exactly what they practise here, just seems weird someone out of the region would know (no offense since people tend to class everything into one system like santeria).

[catherineyronwode]

My knowledge of obeah started in New York City -- a bunch of West Indians were living there, and they shopped at the same candle shops i did. There are differences, but it seems to me that if one were to compare Southern American hoodoo to all of the Caribbean systems of African magic, then obeah is the closest fit -- probably because British colonists brought a lot of Congo slaves to both Jamaica and the USA, and then mingled their folklore in with the folklore of their slaves.

Some spells are so identical in obeah and hoodoo that it is clear they were originally African -- while others have a British flavour to them. Both obeah and hoodoo also have some Jewish inclusions, especially their mutual shared interest in "The 6th and 7th Books of Moses," which you do not see in Santeria, for example. Of course, the Cherokee and other Native American magical work we find in hoodoo does not occur in obeah, and the lists of herbs are a bit different -- Chaney Root instead of Sarsaparilla Root, for instance (still, they are related plants and can be substituted for one another) -- but the whole way of working is very similar, very familiar to me.

People often ask me if i would like to travel to Cuba and study Santeria or Palo, or go to Haiti and study Voodoo, but i always say no -- i'd rather go to Jamaica and study obeah!

So welcome here to our hoodoo forum, and i hope we will find a lot to discuss.

[Gem2]

Hi Miss Cat,

Yes, when I first saw your site a couple years ago I thought how similar it is to obeah like using 'blue' for protection. I am trying to get my ex' mum to tell me some stuff as it's a really closely guarded practise. I'm from Barbados and we do share a similar history as Jamaica, altho they are more open with their practises (lucky them).

Gem

[J Simulcik]

I love Barbados! It starts with the fried flying fish, mac pie, and Banks Beer (that isn't imported here :Mad:) while watching cricket-- and goes from there!

You're right that Obeah is much more closely guarded by Bajans; it's still technically a felony to practice, but it's there. I hope you can get her to share some things with you.

And welcome to the forum!

[Gem2]

Hi J!

Wow when I was reading your post I thought you were an expat! LOL ...hope you get to come back sometime soon.

If I do get her talking I'll come and share with you guys! You're right...so many people practise it or go to someone who does, but if you had them in a group everyone'll say...that's nonsense, it doesn't exist or something like that. Actually Id like to purchase a couple kits from LM but am scared of when I have to go clear them in the post office- I don't want the clerk going and telling people "she into obeah." You have no idea how soon word like that'll get around. LOL

Gem

[J Simulcik]

Not an expat, just a fan!

And gossip? I grew up in rural Virginia; I think the introduction of the telephone actually slowed the spread of gossip down!