Spiritual Merchants: Religion, Magic and Commerce

by Carolyn Morrow Long

Book Overview

They can be found along the side streets of many American cities: herb or candle shops catering to practitioners of Voodoo, hoodoo, Santer a, and similar beliefs. Here one can purchase ritual items and raw materials for the fabrication of traditional charms, plus a variety of soaps, powders, and aromatic goods known in the trade as "spiritual products." For those seeking health or success, love or protection, these potions offer the power of the saints and the authority of the African gods. In Spiritual Merchants, Carolyn Morrow Long provides an inside look at the followers of African-based belief systems and the retailers and manufacturers who supply them. Traveling from New Orleans to New York, from Charleston to Los Angeles, she takes readers on a tour of these shops, examines the origins of the products, and profiles the merchants who sell them. Long describes the principles by which charms are thought to operate, how ingredients are chosen, and the uses to which they are put. She then explores the commodification of traditional charms and the evolution of the spiritual products industry--from small-scale mail order "doctors" and hoodoo drugstores to major manufacturers who market their products worldwide. She also offers an eye-opening look at how merchants who are not members of the culture entered the business through the manufacture of other goods such as toiletries, incense, and pharmaceuticals. Her narrative includes previously unpublished information on legendary Voodoo queens and hoodoo workers, as well as a case study of John the Conqueror root and its metamorphosis from spirit-embodying charm to commercial spiritual product. No other book deals in such detail with both the history and current practices of African-based belief systems in the United States and the evolution of the spiritual products industry. For students of folklore or anyone intrigued by the world of charms and candle shops, Spiritual Merchants examines the confluence of African and European religion in the Americas and provides a colorful introduction to a vibrant aspect of contemporary culture. The Author: Carolyn Morrow Long is a preservation specialist and conservator at the the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1572331100
• ISBN13: 9781572331105
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Univ Tennessee Press
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great work

This is a fantastic collection of photographs, illustrations, and research on the subject of conjure shops, rootworkers, and hoodoo products. Anyone interested in the subject of conjure or working roots should own a copy of this book.

Groundbreaking Work

Carolyn Long's book is one of the foremost works on the subject of African American conjure. In fact, it was the first book-length work to examine modern hoodoo shops, which are its primary focus. I strongly recommend it as an interesting and informative read.

An interesting history of voodoo/hoodoo supplies

What an impressive book! Ms. Long has definitely done her homework on this tome. I have wondered for many years about the sources she discusses in this book, and I find it thorough, open-minded and extremely enlightening. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone curious about those strange little bottles of oils and perfumes, packets of powder, 7-day candles with silkscreened decorations on them, and any and all accoutrements of this most fascinating of subjects. I look forward to seeing more of her work!

perfect addition to my library

I have been researching hoodoo and voodoo for the past two years, but none of the books I've come across compare to Spiritual Merchants. Not only is it honest, but it's simple...it reads almost like a conversation. I appreciate the oodles of images and merchants, especially since Long distinguishes between their races. Unfortunately, most of the web sites are defunct. I will treasure this book always!

One of a Kind

What a great treat it's been to read Spiritual Merchants. Carolyn Long knew she was covering new ground, and it's obvious from the writing that she relished the field work. But what's at least as impressive is the depth of archival research. The preliminary history of Voodoo and hoodoo in the U.S. is really incomparable for its clarity and coherence. Carolyn Long should be congratulated for a terrifically written book--and UTP deserves the same for a beautifully produced book at a reasonable price. It's sure to be a standard for years to come.