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  • Black Magic: Religion and the African American Conjuring Tradition
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Black Magic: Religion and the African American Conjuring Tradition Paperback – Aug. 23 2014

by Yvonne P. Chireau (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 130 ratings
4.1 on Goodreads
119 ratings

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Black Magic looks at the origins, meaning, and uses of Conjure-the African American tradition of healing and harming that evolved from African, European, and American elements-from the slavery period to well into the twentieth century. Illuminating a world that is dimly understood by both scholars and the general public, Yvonne P. Chireau describes Conjure and other related traditions, such as Hoodoo and Rootworking, in a beautifully written, richly detailed history that presents the voices and experiences of African Americans and shows how magic has informed their culture. Focusing on the relationship between Conjure and Christianity, Chireau shows how these seemingly contradictory traditions have worked together in a complex and complementary fashion to provide spiritual empowerment for African Americans, both slave and free, living in white America.

As she explores the role of Conjure for African Americans and looks at the transformations of Conjure over time, Chireau also rewrites the dichotomy between magic and religion. With its groundbreaking analysis of an often misunderstood tradition, this book adds an important perspective to our understanding of the myriad dimensions of human spirituality.
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  1. Print length
    236 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    University of California Press
  4. Publication date
    Aug. 23 2014
  5. Dimensions
    15.24 x 1.5 x 22.86 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0520249887
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0520249882
  8. Lexile measure
    1450L
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Review

"Black Magic persuasively supports the position that interpretive categories like 'religion' are social constructed."-- "Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion"

"Chireau has produced a rewarding account of areas of African-American experience that have been inadequately understood."-- "Folklore"

"Chireau has produced an excellent study of the African American conjuring tradition. . . . [She] shows the important link between the conjure tradition and the healing practices of sanctified churches. . . . Highly recommended."-- "CHOICE"

"This is a remarkably useful book on a subject too infrequently examined today. It is a must for any one interested in African American spirituality or diasporic studies."-- "Western Folklore"

"Scholars of African American religions increasingly recognize the importance of non-Christian religious forms and traditions in African American history and contemporary African American social and cultural life, but we need books like Black Magic to help us plot out those forms and traditions in detail. . . . this book is indisputably a compelling, well-written examination of conjure, highly recommended for undergraduate courses on African American history and religions."-- "Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions"

From the Back Cover

"Chireau has written a marvelous text on an important dimension of African American religious culture. Expanding beyond the usual focus of scholarship on Christianity, she describes and analyzes the world of magical-medical-religious practice, challenging hallowed distinctions among "religion" and "magic." Anyone interested in African American religion will need to reckon seriously with Chireau's text on conjure."--Albert J. Raboteau, Princeton University

"Deprived of their own traditions and defined as chattel, enslaved Africans formed a new orientation in America. Conjuring--operating alongside of and within both the remnants of African culture and the acquired traditions of North America--served as a theoretical and practical mode of deciphering and divining within this, enabling them to create an alternate meaning of life in the New World. Chireau's is the first full-scale treatment of this important dimension of African American culture and religion. A wonderful book!"--Charles H. Long, Professor of History of Religions University of California, Santa Barbara and author of Significations: Signs, Symbols and Images in the Interpretation of Religion

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ University of California Press
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ Aug. 23 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 236 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0520249887
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0520249882
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 340 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 1.5 x 22.86 cm
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1450L
  • 鶹 Rank: #176,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 130 ratings

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Yvonne Patricia Chireau

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4.7 out of 5 stars
130 global ratings

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  • Lauren
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I’ve ever read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Thank you so much auntie Yvonne for writing this piece and for sharing all of your other pieces and findings! You make the ancestors proud!
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  • Judith
    5.0 out of 5 stars An enlightening read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Because of my interest in learning about Conjure, I need to learn more about how the history is of the African American- and how slavery has helped to shape not only Conjure itself, but also the self-identity of a group of people who were subjected to some of the most horrendous conditions a body and soul could bear. American history was made and paid for by the blood, sweat, and tears of slaves and indentured servants. We should never forget that.
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  • Jay Terry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a book that I would recommend for everyone. Life changing
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  • Nathalie
    4.0 out of 5 stars A great book. Very informative if you are looking for ...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A great book. Very informative if you are looking for a book on the history of traditional African American hoodoo, conjuring, magic, and root work. If you are looking for a book that is more instructive or how to practice these traditions, this is not for you. What I found, however, is that it helped to explain some of the practices and “superstitions” that my grandmother and great-grandmother had and showed how Hoodoo and other African American traditions are the only uninterrupted magical traditions besides Native American traditions.
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  • Daniel Smith
    4.0 out of 5 stars High quality, good book.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book for a theology course. It arrived in the condition that was advertised, and it was a well-written analysis of its subject. The author ended up visiting my class and was very knowledgeable of her subject. A good academic read.
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