DUPPY DUST & VOODOO PILLS
Contents:
It is because of their great secrecy of movement on the one hand and the fear they inspire on the other. It is like your American gangsters. They intimidate the common people so even when they could give the police actual proof of their depredations, they are afraid to appear in court against them. And now, if you are friendly to Haiti as you say you are, you must speak the truth to the world. Many white writers who have passed a short time here have heard these things mentioned, and knowing nothing of the Voodoo religion except the Congo dances, they conclude that the two things are the same.
That gives a wrong impression to the world and makes Haiti a subject for slander. It is composed of educated, upper class Haitians who are sworn to destroy the Red Sect in Haiti. No info via googling so far. Some secret society quotes that confirm Hurston's findings in Tome Premier, L. Mery , can't find original online yet. They faded off into the darkness swiftly like so many leopards with their cords in their hands.
These cords are made from the dried and well cured intestines of human beings who have been the victims of other raids. They are light and have the tensile strength of cello strings. The gut of one victim drags to his death his successor. Except in special cases no particular person is hunted.
Then the ceremony began to change the three victims into beef. That is, one was "turned" into a "cow" and two into "pigs. This is the type of book you'd probably never see me read if it was written by an author I didn't know. I love Zora Neale Hurston. This isn't her best book, but it's one that caught my interest.
The topic of voodoo interested me enough to make this my second book by her. Plus, when I was in elementary school I had to do a report on Haiti, so I have some interest in that country as well. Luckily, I found this book not only entertaining, but learned a few things too. Tell My Horse is about voodoo c This is the type of book you'd probably never see me read if it was written by an author I didn't know. One thing I picked up, most of my knowledge of voodoo comes from the media. Starting to realize after reading this book, there is way more to voodoo than dolls and curses.
I didn't realize they have their own gods. Nor did I realize their religion isn't all that bad either. Again, I blame the media. I love how she talks about the music in this book too. I almost could hear the drum beats. I should point out this book does go into race and politics. Most of the racial issues made sense and were needed, but politics seemed a little off topic. I don't really know much about Haiti, other than some people I personally know who've been there, but I just found the politics part a little confusing. Maybe some who knows the country better will get more out of it than me.
I think this book is worth the read, but I think you have to be really into the topic or into Hurston to fully enjoy this book. Part I on Jamaica is scattered, though I would have been satisfied with an entire book about the Maroon hog hunt. Part II on Haitian history is far too editorial for my taste. Hurston's description of Vodou beliefs and rituals verges on romantic, but it is also well-informed, respectful and endearing. Primarily, this is a book concerned with recording legend and relating it to ritual practice. I can't help but see the relationship between Tell M Part I on Jamaica is scattered, though I would have been satisfied with an entire book about the Maroon hog hunt.
The practice of combining the author's story telling and poetry with history's stories and the stories of fellow travelers is one that Hurston initiates in this work and Walker expands in the latter half of the century. Walker taught me that truth springs from the convergence of art and experience; now I see she learned that lesson from Hurston. Sep 23, Cheri rated it really liked it Shelves: I initially bought this book over twenty years ago, made it halfway, and then let it sit on a shelf.
Finally, many years later, I dusted it off and started anew. Sometimes age makes something much more accessible. This book is fascinating. It feels near and close, like I'm sitting in a room listening to Zora talk. So many details that much nonfiction lacks. This book feels real, human, experiential.
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I have dozens of passages marked for further contemplation. This book fed my imagination. Might have finished this sooner but I was scared. I originally found mention of this book while I was reading through The World's Greatest Unsolved Mysteries ' chapter on zombies. My initial reaction was, and I quote: I would totally read a Zora Hurston collection of zombie sightings.
There's one chapter on them, and a few mentions here and there, but given the time this book was written, I don't blame H I originally found mention of this book while I was reading through The World's Greatest Unsolved Mysteries ' chapter on zombies. There's one chapter on them, and a few mentions here and there, but given the time this book was written, I don't blame Hurston. She did try to figure out more about zombies.
Luckily, she had a very devoted group of friends who pointed out to her that trying to worm her way into secret societies and then report on what she found was probably not a very smart move to make. If she wanted to stay alive. Of course, Wade Davis eventually got those answers, and published them in his book The Serpent and the Rainbow. The first section of the book focuses on the historical and political climates of Jamaica and Haiti at the time, although Hurston herself admits that she was given several conflicting accounts as to how historical events went down.
So, it was a fairly sluggish read that, at the end of the day, may not even be fact. Just fact to the best of Hurston's knowledge. The majority of the book focuses on voodoo, and the various gods and rituals associated with it. This was the most interesting part of the book for me, seeing as how I live in a city that has deep voodoo ties, and where Marie Laveau is still celebrated as the Voodoo Queen. It's also different from "hoodoo", which isn't a religion, but folk magic. Voodoo dolls are actually a hoodoo practice that was sort of lumped together with New Orleans voodoo.
I've got a growing collection of cutsie voodoo doll key charms. Credit has to be given to Hurston for taking the religion seriously, and not writing it off as a cheap knock-off of Catholicism, or the delusional beliefs of an ignorant and barbaric culture, which were the general opinions at the time. The appendix is full of the various songs and prayers she heard while she was down there, including sheet music where she actually remembered the tunes.
Some of the songs and ceremonies were beautiful affairs. But dear lord, there were so many dead chickens by the time I finished the book. So many dead chickens. Apr 21, James Jacobs rated it it was amazing Shelves: Hurston is a fine writer. Her calibre has rarely been seen, and I doubt it will be seen often from here.
She has such an easy feel for rhythm in her writing, and for pacing. She reminds me a bit of Dunsany in this sense. She had a complicated life, filled with interesting stories and ideas, and it always shows in what she writes. I'm no expert on Haiti, or Voodoo, so I can't attest to the authenticity of what she writes, but I do know what she wrote, she wrote well.
Her dealings with character i Hurston is a fine writer. Her dealings with character is frank, but life-affirming. That's always what your left with when you read her. She was passionate about her subject-matter. It's wonderful, exhilarating to read. I'm not an old-hand academic texts, but from what I've read, and from reputation, it seems the ease and clarity and joy she writes with is a rare thing.
I think this may come from her interesting views on race. She saw the way they wrote of race as allowing white folks to erase part of their identity, as constructing the image that black folks were hollow, or empty in some way. I think that's in part where the tenderness of her writing comes from, in this book. She obviously respects the people of Haiti and Jamaica. Oct 08, Kit Perriman rated it liked it. Do you believe in Zombies? Having studied Voodoo in Jamaica and Haiti, Zora Neale Hurston's book Tell My Horse claims that the undead really do exist and that she has seen proof with her own eyes!
As a member of the Harlem Renaissance, Hurston was interested in recovering authentic black feminine power. But she did not look for it in the guise of the New Woman, she wanted to reconnect with the wily, wild conjure woman from the African Ur-cultures, the pagan witches of antiquity. Tell My Hor Do you believe in Zombies?
Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica is divided into three parts. The first two are a little disorganized as she describes the history and politics of Jamaica and Haiti. Legend has it that while Hurston was doing "under cover" research in Jamaica, the natives found out she was going to publish their secrets and she had to flee the island in fear of her life. The third section about Voodoo is both disturbing and compelling. Hurston respectfully introduces this practice as "a religion of creation and life," but then describes at length the "people who have been called back from the dead," in particular "this case of Felicia Felix-Mentor.
So I know there are Zombies in Haiti. Haitian Zombies are generally called back for one of three reasons: It is the Haitian version of giving-a-soul-to-the-devil. ZombieThe dead person's spirit is stolen by the Bocor who turns the body into a mindless slave. Bocors are the "bad witches" of Voodo, as opposed to the "good witch" leaders called the Houngan. It is weird - and at times disgusting - and definitely an acquired taste. Scholars will find it useful, but I do not think its antiquated style will likely hold much appeal for the general reader.
Fortunately, it is a very different book from Hurston's other stellar work! An insider account, written by an American outsider, of life and rituals in Jamaica and Haiti in the 's. You get a little bit of everything: The book doesn't have a strict structure, it's only separated by country, and is told almost like stream of consciousness storytelling.
Sometimes Hurston assumes you feel as familiar as 3. Sometimes Hurston assumes you feel as familiar as she does towards villagers and know each individual she's referring to, which can sometimes feel vaguely confusing i. It's like in real life when someone tells you an elaborate story leading up to a particular event, and they give you all the details about each person involved along the way, but you don't know any of these people, so the details about each of them doesn't necessarily matter to you in regards to the overall theme of the story.
My main takeaway from this book is that I apparently did not know anything accurate about Voodoo. Even Wikipedia will tell you that it very much ties in with Catholicism - Hurston says no, that it is drastically different, and the Catholic saints are only used as visual representations of Voodoo loa because Haitians were too poor to make their own artistic renderings, so they used what was already available to the masses. Here are some vocab words for you, should you need them while reading: Voodoo spirits, messengers between our world and "gods" Hounfort: Adept that assists the priest The amount of ritual that goes into Voodoo ceremonies is amazing.
Each loa has their own preferences food, drink, animal sacrifices made and rituals that must be followed, depending on the ceremony and what is being asked of the loa.
Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and Jamaica
I also learned that there are different categories of loa - some will communicate with you for guidance, some will bestow minor favors upon you or help keep status quo , and some will require significant payment in exchange for services like a demon deal. The concept of these "demon deals" not what it is referred to as in Voodoo tradition, but the easiest for my brain to understand is incredibly interesting, because it's not in the Faustian or Christian sense - payment is not due all at once at the end of a particular period of time or life. In Voodoo, payment for these favors is due continually until it cannot be paid anymore.
For example, you may perform a ritual to make a deal to enhance your wealth due to desperation, and the loa demands payment once a year in the form of a loved one's life. You can keep doing this every year to appease the spirit, but the person must be of value to you for it to count. If you run out of loved ones, they will come for you instead to complete the deal. Speaking of dark, Voodoo apparently gets a bad rap in Haiti for the nastier rituals that some folks participate in.
For instance, you have the Bocor, who is a sort of Voodoo witch that "serves with both hands", meaning they do both good and evil. It is these Bocors that can quietly mark people for doom and pull those from their new graves to create Voodoo zombies the body is back to perform laborious tasks, but the soul isn't there. One Haitian doctor speculates that perhaps becoming a zombie isn't supernatural, but the effect of some elixir with particular properties to dull parts of the brain the recipe for which came from Africa, but no one outside of the families who practice this secret dark art will speak of.
There are also secret societies in Haiti that operate under the guise of Voodoo, but are not Voodoo - it is speculated that they perform "human sacrifice" murder and some may feed on flesh. These groups are something Hurston started slowly catching onto during her stay, but the locals would never tell her much about, for fear of her safety.
Also, there apparently have been a lot of poisoning going on throughout Haitian and Jamaican history - these particular people have old knowledge of what plants or items can cause harm and death even things like cutting horse hair into food, which will poke holes in someone's intestines. The idea of cannibalism aside, this made me think of the Aztec witches from "A War of Witches" that I read previously that also "serve with both hands", acting as curandero healer publicly and witch causing harm privately.
The book's title Tell My Horse comes from what is said when a person becomes "mounted" possessed by loa during a ceremony. This conduit is called a "horse", and the loa will use their body and mouth to give messages. Lovingly written and illustrated by Martin E. Hughes, a lifetime student of Barbadian culture. A very funny book with serious philosophical under tones that have been carefully concealed under rampant West Indian humour. Read more Read less.
A bawdy bedside buffet of thirteen authentic, albeit unconventional short stories in anecdotal form. This book provides the reader with a compelling literary. Title, Duppy Dust & Voodoo Pills. Illustrated by, Martin Hughes. Publisher, Catford Corporation, ISBN, , Length, pages.
Kindle Cloud Reader Read instantly in your browser. Product details File Size: Catford Corporation; 1 edition December 1, Publication Date: December 1, Sold by: Share your thoughts with other customers. Write a customer review. Showing of 1 reviews. Top Reviews Most recent Top Reviews. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. Some good rum soaked old talk for Bajans. Better yet, they conduct interviews with the performers during intermissions, which gives you an intimate understanding of the emotions, motivations, and challenges they encounter as they literally breathe new life into their roles, thereby deepening your appreciation of this centuries-old art form.
For a fraction of the ticket price, you will get a birds-eye view of the performers, ornate costumes, and lavish set pieces down to the last detail. I sat in the front row during the HD broadcast of Madama Butterfly starring Kristine Opolais and I could see her bare toes peeping out from under her gown, the beads of perspiration between her eyes and her epiglottis quivering in her throat. I kid you not. During intermissions, the camera keeps rolling, so you get to see all the frenetic backstage activity.
And you get the added benefit of watching Mary Jo interview the performers. No one will know. For some unexplained reason, Opera season takes place during the cold weather months. She was in Boston entertaining British students who were the first to receive scholarships awarded in honor of her late husband.
Always seeking to avoid the spotlight that followed her everywhere, she spent the rest of the weekend in Cape Cod. Who knew there were 10 classical radio stations in Alaska? Some exhibits even provide information about what you can do to help save species, such as stop buying cookies made with palm oil because rapid deforestation caused by palm oil plantations is destroying the habitat of several critically endangered species, including the orangutan, Borneo elephant, and Sumatran rhinoceros.
Homemade cookies taste better anyway. Consistent with its message, the zoo carefully chooses what it sells to the public. For example, it only sells Bird Friendly Coffee , which means the coffee beans come from farms using a combination of foliage cover, tree height and biodiversity to provide quality habitat for birds and other wildlife. No one ever has to pay to get inside. Because admission to all other Smithsonian buildings and gardens is free, its only logical that admission to the zoological gardens would be free too. Is any animal worth more than another? Of course, no trip to the National Zoo is complete without viewing its most famous inhabitants, the Giant Pandas, [9] but we were thrilled to see the golden lion tamarins tiny endangered Brazilian monkeys leaping from branch to branch, the Bettongs nocturnal Australian marsupials bouncing on each other, and the King Cobra swaying his mesmerizing deadly dance.
Some of our decision-making was based on the fact that it felt good to be indoors at times because the calendar said it was Spring, but the thermometer said it was still Winter. Most of our decisions were based on our desire to learn about animals we had never even heard of or rarely, if ever, get to see up close, like screaming hairy armadillos and naked mole rats. We enjoyed watching the giant pandas chow down on popsicles at their enrichment session and learned a lot from talking with an elephant keeper at the Elephant Community Center.
And last but not least, stop and pay a visit to our closest critically endangered closest living relatives — the orangutans. They were interested in us. Three different orangutans pressed up right against the glass to ogle the crowds taking videos with their tablets and propping their dazed little kids up to the glass for photo ops. One kid was wearing a sock monkey hat.
Then I noticed something on the sign saying that the grove of pine trees we were standing under had been planted as a tribute to Robert Frost so that families could enjoy picnicking in the shade just minutes away from the rustic cabin where the great poet had once lived. As we were getting into the car, a couple who looked like they had just stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting informed us that if we were to walk about feet up the hill behind the farmhouse, we would find the log cabin where Robert Frost had lived and wrote poetry. Rich in complexity but not overly sweet, they are pure perfection on a plate. As I said, the section on voodoo is by far the most interesting; The bad news is the tedious chapters come first. There was even a nice reception after the show, where you could sample traditional Chinese cuisine.
The human zoo is entertaining, like reality TV. If only the orangutans in Borneo and Sumatra were so lucky. For more information about Bird Friendly Coffee and where to buy it, see https: Our favorite is the box in the Elephant Community Center that trumpets like an elephant when you put your money in. This gives the animals time to open their presents from Santa Claus, unless they were naughty and then they only get coal. Two-thirds of the annual budget of 1. For more facts about the Smithsonian Institution, see https: The event features career panel discussions with conservation biologists, field ecologists, research scientists, veterinarians and animal keepers.
This would be an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in a career in conservation. To learn more, see https: Thus, the historic promenade running through it was named in his honor. For more about the renovation, see http: The brightly colored lions bob and weave through the crowded streets going from business to business tearing apart heads of lettuce and spitting out leaves with reckless abandon.
You can barely see two feet in front of you. People crowd the sidewalks and doorsteps taking pictures and videos, jostling to get a better view. Most people are considerate but others are rude, standing in the front row holding their iPhones high in the air like the Statue of Liberty-more like the Statue of Idiocy-making it almost impossible for you to get a shot. You can get a clearer view if you stand up on a doorstep and watch the lions stop to chow down on lettuce hanging from outside a storefront across the street.
Why do the lions eat Iettuce? Are they on a diet for the New Year? Good guess, but no. Then, the barrage of firecrackers resumes accompanied by the banging of gongs and the beating of drums.
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Why all the noise? To scare away evil spirits, of course! The lions get super excited over the firecrackers. It always takes place on the Sunday afternoon closest to the actual Chinese New Year. According to folklore, the Buddha promised gifts to all the animals that came to visit him and these were the only 12 that bothered to show up, so the Buddha gave each one of them a year of the Chinese zodiac. The signs repeat every 12 years.
Chinese astrologists say that people inherit distinctive characteristics from the animal of their birth year, similar to the meaning of the sun sign in Western astrology. Speaking of gift-giving, a really cool tradition associated with Chinese New Year is the handing out of red envelopes full of green cash! In your dreams, right? In Chinese and Chinese-American culture, red envelopes are traditionally handed down from older family members to younger ones and from employer to employee as an expression of appreciation and blessing of good wishes, much like a present from grandma or bonus from your boss at Christmas time.
Why are the envelopes red? Because red is the symbol of happiness and prosperity, bringing good luck and warding off evil spirits. Exercise caution around explosives at all times. There are plenty of other ways to celebrate Chinese New Year in Philadelphia, [6] many of them with canine themes in honor of the Year of the Dog. Here are some examples: The International House at Chestnut St. There was even a nice reception after the show, where you could sample traditional Chinese cuisine. This event tends to sell out early, so buy your tickets in advance. The Independence Seaport Museum at 11 S.
For more information about the Philadelphia Suns or to book them at your wedding, banquet, or company party, go to http: Archaeological evidence suggests that the festival is believed go as far back as prehistory. An agrarian society for centuries, it made practical sense for Chinese farmers to take their much-needed break before the hectic spring planting season. It even gives you instructions on how to eat with chopsticks! Fifteen days later, on the Full Moon, the festival culminates with displays of red lanterns, playing a riddle-solving game, folk dancing, and eating yuanxiao sweet rice balls symbolizing family and unity.
For more information on how the Spring Festival is celebrated in China, go to https: When people think of Amsterdam, lots of things come to mind. Would you think of delectable cuisine crafted from seasonal ingredients served up with panache? I thought it was a private residence until I noticed a Zagat sign in the window. Instantly curious, I opened the door, tossed back a dark curtain, and was suddenly standing in a small dining room with maybe 10 unadorned wooden tables. A petite but sturdy woman wearing a head scarf emerged quietly from the kitchen and introduced herself as Natasja Postma, chef and co-owner.
Fortunately, because it was a weekday and I was a party of one, Natasja offered to reserve me a table for dinner that night, which I gratefully accepted. The couple took a big risk by buying the building that houses Wink, which opened in the spring of , but their investment appears to be paying off now that the restaurant has earned a reputation as a neighborhood sweet spot.
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Laughter, not loud music, filled the air, as Jan Paul flitted from table to table, charming every diner myself included with his vibrant sense of humor, joie de vivre, and consummate knowledge of the food and beverages on the menu. Natasja Postma is an artist of the highest caliber. My indecision prompted Natasja to come to my table, but instead of treating me like her problem child, she seemed to enjoy the opportunity to communicate directly with a new guest. After asking me a few pointed questions about my dining preferences, Natasja walked back to the kitchen with confidence, as if she had read my thoughts through mental telepathy.
Jan Paul explained that they were going to serve me a customized tasting menu. Impressive personalized service, right?! My meal arrived one dish at a time, as follows: There may have even been some capers in there; 4 hummus made of butternut squash, tahini, falafel tiny balls again , red and yellow beets, cilantro, mint, flash-fried bulgur wheat and pomegranate seeds; 5 sliced pork belly, sweet potato puree and savoy cabbage, sprinkled with fried pork skins; and 6 panna cotta topped with a vivid red wild berry coulis.
Although she appears to borrow bits and pieces from French, Italian, Lebanese, and Californian culinary traditions, her finished product is entirely original. Bite-sized chocolate squares, denser than cake with a finer texture than brownies but with the same non-crumbly properties. Rich in complexity but not overly sweet, they are pure perfection on a plate. Manically, I said to Jan Paul: Can I marry them?
For more information from a trusted source, see https: The table was mine all night, meaning I could show up any time after the kitchen opened and stay as long as I wanted. Oct 30 October 30, November 15, by Glitterchicken. Sep 30 September 30, November 13, by Glitterchicken.
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