The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-01-27
Plantation COnjurers.

Among the many superstitions of
plantation negroes none are so strongly
marked and deeply rooted as their uni
Versal belief in the power of "tricking'
or conjuring-a faith brought with
them to this country. and, in spite of
all changes and vicissitudes, clinging to
them as strongly to-day as when they
roamed their native wilds across the
sea. l venture the assertion that there
is not "a single neighborhood in the
whole South in which there does not
live at least one darkey who is recog-
nized by his neighbors as having the
gift of putting ''spells'' on anyone SO
unfortunate as to incur his enmitv.
The regular conjurer is always old, and
of strange, s'curous' ways, and full of
eccentricities-sOmetimes gruff, wiz
ard-like old man and sometimes a
withered old crone. The power is
never attributed to young or stout
negro. Some of these .conjerers" are
proud of the distinction gained and the
awe inspired by their mysterious ways,
and they love to perform every alb
surdity, with pretended air of secre-
cy, in order to excite curiosity and give
color to their claims as conjurers. H
They go around mumbling to them
selves, tying up rags and gathering up
snake skins, dog hair, bent pins, rusty
nails, red pepper, locks of hair, pieces
of mule hoof, scraps of red flannel and
pieces of copperas, and all sorts of
things supposed to possess charm
powers. They then catch frogs, lizards,
scorpions, ants, snakes and aground
puppies" and put them while alive in
ovens and bake until nothing is left but
ashes, which are carefully bottled for
future use. This is all done with an
air of mystery. and with ominous head
shakings, that strike terror to the
hearts of the timid. If these ashes are
slyly given to an enemy in anything he
may eat or drink, or even sprinkled on
his garments, the cremated reptile
''comes alive in some part of his body,
and causes terrible pain and often
death.
Whenever negro has any lingering
disease or any malady he does not un-
derstand, he and all his associates
quickly pronounce him "tricked," and
all the doctors in the world couldn't
reason them out of their belief. Every
case of hypochondria have ever heard
of among negroes (and have known of a
great many) belonged to this class-they
had been cunjered." One had scor-
pion in his leg, another ants and 9TH
ers had snakes and lizards in their arms.
AS mentioned before, some of these
conjurers take much pleasure in the
title and in the power it gives them,
but it is very few who are willing to
bear the odium. can now recall but
two within my own knowledge who
were willing to be recognized as possess
ing the "evil eye." The gift is usually
attributed to some surly, odd looking
and unsociable old negro, much against
his will, and the more he disclaims such
powers and refuses the greatness thrust
upon him." the more he is feared. How
far his own faith in his powers extend
is, and always will be, mystery. Then,
besides the acknowledged conjurers, it
is believed that every negro can "trick''
his personal enemies. So, between
them all, the professionals" and the
'non-professionals there is an inn
mense amount of conjuring constantly
going on.--" Pleasant Riderhood,n in
Detroit Free Press.