The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1898-08-12
THE younger BAG"
How the Negroes of the South Protect
Themeelyea.


How the Negroes of the South ProtecA
Themselves.
One of the most remarkable mystic
ries connected with the life of the
southern negro, especially those of
Georgia and Florida, is the wonderful
and abiding faith they have in the
power of the "cunger bag" When
cornered. however, with the question
as to whether they carry concealed
about them an article of the kind, or
whether they ever pay visit to the
'doctor," every last one of them will
stoutly deny the soft impeachment;
yet, as matter of fact, a large percent
Of the colored population of the south
are firm believers in yoodooism ord
faithfully spend portion of their earn
ings eoeh month in procuring imagined
security from enemies and evil spirits,
or in laying up a supply of good luck for
future use.
"Cunger bags are of two kinds. The
one made of yellow flannel is to ward
off evil spirits, the other of red flannel
is supposed to insure good luck, or
bring to pass some cherished desire of
the owner. The contents depend upon
circumstances, and the cost is from 25
cents TO dollar.
The doctor hears the visitors story,
and, after deciding what the remedy
shall be, selects small bag of the
proper tint of red or yellow, and puts
into it something like the following;
A piece of hair or whiskers; some
earth that the right or left foot has tTod
at the hour of midnight at certain
designated spot; relic of dead
friend; clipping Of the applicants
finger or toe nail: piece Of money
from The person, or belonging Indirect
ly to the candidate, which must be
soaked SO many hours in vinegar, qlco-
hol or whisky; few watermelon
seeds; little gunpowder, perhaps, or
maybe pinch of snuff or a piece Of
"Little David root" will do the busi-
ness. What "Little David root" is no
mortal but voodoo doctor has ever
been able to find out, and yet the great
est possible faith is placed in its powers
by the superstitious darl1ies, who be-
lieve anything the doctor tells ther.
1t is peculiar growth that looks very
much like slippery elm, and the secret
of it's origin or place Of hiding is held
in common only by the doctors and the
priests who practice this style of "black
art"
Among other things that an applicant
is told to do is to place a piece of
this root in his or her mouth.
It is almost Immediately dis
solved into kind of soft paste,
and when pressed between the palms
the future can be as easily foretold as +
read from so many pages of typewiit-
ten manuscript. At least the aston.
ished negroes think so, and thoroughly
believe in it. ''Little David root" is
responsible for a great deal of superst-
tion in the south.
There is now living in q suburb of Al
lanta, Ga, fine, fat negress, weighing
250 pounds or more, who has the repu-
tation of being the most successful voo-
doc doctor in these parts. Her cabin is
q yeritable curiosity shop, which is
hung about with more symbols and
charms than an Indians wigwam.
Among other things her supply Of
"cungers" is unlimited, and these are
sold TO visitors (unbelieveEs included)
at an average rate of so cents each, If
a higher degree of potency is desired, of
course, the charge is higher.--St Louis
Republic.