Voodoo vs. Hoodoo: Closed vs. Open African Diaspora Practices

BY NICOLE LAU

"Voodoo" and "Hoodoo" are often confused or used interchangeably, but they're completely different. One is a closed religion requiring initiation. The other is an open folk magic practice. One has priests, temples, and complex theology. The other has rootworkers, conjure, and practical magic. Understanding the difference isn't just academic—it's essential for knowing what you can and cannot practice, and for respecting African diaspora spirituality.

This article clarifies the crucial distinction between Vodou/Voodoo (closed) and Hoodoo (open), explains the African diaspora context, addresses harmful stereotypes, and guides you on how to engage respectfully with these traditions. Because lumping them together erases important distinctions and disrespects both practices.

Understanding Vodou/Voodoo

What It Actually Is

Vodou (also spelled Voodoo, Vodun) is:

• A complete religion, not a magical practice
• Originating in West Africa (Vodun) and Haiti (Vodou)
• With priesthood, theology, and complex religious structure
• Requiring initiation to practice
• Involving relationship with lwa (spirits/deities)

Key Characteristics

1. It's a religion

• Complete cosmology and theology
• Pantheon of lwa (spirits)
• Religious ceremonies and rituals
• Moral and spiritual framework
• Not just "magic" or "spells"

2. Requires initiation

• Cannot practice without being initiated
• Initiation ceremonies are complex and sacred
• Creates spiritual bonds and responsibilities
• Years of training and study required

3. Has priesthood

• Houngans (priests) and Mambos (priestesses)
• Hierarchical structure
• Lineages and houses
• Authorized practitioners

4. Community-based

• Practiced within community context
• Temples (hounfors) and congregations
• Collective ceremonies
• Not solitary practice

5. Closed to outsiders

• Cannot practice without initiation
• Cannot self-initiate
• Must be brought in by initiated priest/priestess
• Respecting this boundary is essential

Understanding Hoodoo

What It Actually Is

Hoodoo (also called rootwork, conjure) is:

• African American folk magic tradition
• Practical magic, not a religion
• Developed by enslaved Africans in American South
• Blending African, Native American, and European influences
• Open practice—anyone can learn and practice

Key Characteristics

1. It's folk magic, not religion

• Practical magical techniques
• No theology or worship
• Can be practiced alongside any religion (or none)
• Focused on results and problem-solving

2. No initiation required

• Can be learned from books, teachers, or family
• No formal ceremonies to begin
• Self-study is valid
• Accessible to anyone willing to learn

3. No priesthood

• Rootworkers and conjure doctors (practitioners)
• No hierarchical structure
• Individual practice
• Knowledge passed through teaching and learning

4. Individual practice

• Typically practiced alone
• Personal magical work
• No temples or congregations
• Though community and mentorship exist

5. Open to all

• Anyone can learn and practice
• Should be approached with respect for African American roots
• Learn properly, don't just make things up
• Give credit to the tradition

The Key Differences

Vodou vs. Hoodoo

Vodou/Voodoo	Hoodoo
Religion	Folk magic practice
Requires initiation	No initiation needed
Has priesthood	No priesthood
Worship of lwa (spirits)	No worship (though may work with spirits)
Complex theology	Practical techniques
Community-based	Individual practice
Haitian/West African	African American
Closed practice	Open practice
Cannot practice without initiation	Can learn and practice
Temples and ceremonies	Personal magical work

Why the Confusion?

How They Got Mixed Up

1. Racist stereotypes

• Hollywood portrayed both as "evil magic"
• Lumped all African diaspora practices together
• Created "voodoo doll" stereotype (not actually from Vodou)
• Sensationalized and distorted both traditions

2. Similar roots

• Both have African origins
• Both developed in diaspora
• Some overlapping practices and influences
• But they're distinct traditions

3. Linguistic confusion

• Similar-sounding names
• Both associated with African American/Caribbean culture
• Media using terms interchangeably

4. Lack of education

• Most people never learned the difference
• Misinformation spreads
• Stereotypes persist

Other African Diaspora Traditions

Also Important to Understand

Closed/Initiation-required:

• Santería/Lukumí: Afro-Cuban religion, requires initiation
• Candomblé: Afro-Brazilian religion, initiation-only
• Palo Mayombe: Afro-Cuban practice, strictly closed
• Ifá: Yoruba divination system, requires proper training and initiation

More accessible (but still require respect):

• Hoodoo/Rootwork/Conjure: As discussed, open practice
• Curanderismo: Latin American folk healing (context-dependent)

How to Engage Respectfully

With Vodou (Closed Practice)

What you CANNOT do:

• Practice Vodou without initiation
• Set up altars to lwa without being initiated
• Perform Vodou ceremonies
• Claim to practice Vodou
• Use Vodou imagery or symbols casually

What you CAN do:

• Learn about it respectfully
• Read books by initiated practitioners
• Support Vodou communities
• Respect it as a living religion
• If genuinely called, seek proper initiation (this is serious commitment)

With Hoodoo (Open Practice)

What you CAN do:

• Learn and practice Hoodoo
• Study from books and teachers
• Work with roots, herbs, candles, psalms
• Create mojo bags, do candle work, etc.

How to do it respectfully:

• Acknowledge African American roots
• Learn from Black practitioners when possible
• Don't whitewash or appropriate the aesthetic
• Give credit to the tradition
• Support Black rootworkers and teachers
• Don't claim to be "hoodoo expert" after reading one book
• Understand the history of slavery and resistance

Addressing Harmful Stereotypes

What Needs to Stop

1. "Voodoo dolls"

• Not actually from Vodou
• Hollywood invention
• Perpetuates harmful stereotypes
• Reduces complex religion to "evil magic"

2. "Voodoo = evil/dark magic"

• Vodou is a legitimate religion
• Not inherently "dark" or "evil"
• This stereotype is racist
• Vodou has healing, protection, and positive practices

3. Conflating all African diaspora practices

• They're distinct traditions
• Each deserves individual respect
• Lumping together erases important differences

4. Treating as entertainment or aesthetic

• These are living spiritual traditions
• Not costumes, party themes, or trends
• Real people practice these seriously

Crystals for Respectful Practice

For Hoodoo Work (Open Practice)

Traditional Hoodoo stones:

• Pyrite: Money drawing, prosperity work
• Lodestone (magnetite): Attraction, drawing work
• Black tourmaline: Protection, uncrossing
• Clear quartz: Amplification, general work

Respect and Discernment

• Sodalite: Truth, knowing what's open vs. closed
• Lapis lazuli: Wisdom, respecting traditions
• Obsidian: Truth-seeing, avoiding appropriation

How to Use

• Incorporate into Hoodoo work if you practice it
• Use for discernment about closed practices
• Hold while learning about these traditions

Learning More

Recommended Approach

For Vodou (to learn about, not practice):

• Read books by initiated practitioners
• Learn the history and theology
• Respect it as a religion
• Don't practice without initiation

For Hoodoo (to learn and practice):

• Study from reputable sources
• Learn from Black practitioners when possible
• Start with basics (candle work, psalms, herbs)
• Practice with respect and proper attribution
• Don't claim expertise quickly

Common Questions

Addressing Confusion

"Can I practice Hoodoo if I'm not Black?"

• Yes, Hoodoo is open to all
• But: Approach with respect for African American roots
• Learn properly, give credit, support Black practitioners
• Don't appropriate the aesthetic or claim it as yours

"What if I'm drawn to Vodou?"

• If genuinely called, seek proper initiation
• This is serious, lifelong commitment
• Find legitimate house and priest/priestess
• Don't practice without initiation

"Are 'voodoo dolls' real?"

• Poppets exist in many traditions (including European)
• The "voodoo doll" stereotype is Hollywood invention
• If you want to work with poppets, learn proper techniques
• Don't call them "voodoo dolls"

Integration: Know the Difference

Vodou and Hoodoo are not the same. One is a closed religion requiring initiation. The other is an open folk magic practice. Confusing them erases important distinctions and disrespects both traditions.

You cannot practice Vodou without initiation. You can learn and practice Hoodoo, but do so with respect for its African American roots. Give credit. Support Black practitioners. Don't whitewash or appropriate.

Understanding the difference is essential for ethical spiritual practice. Respect closed traditions. Engage properly with open ones. Honor the African diaspora by getting it right.

Next in this series: Yoga Beyond Asana: Respecting the Hindu Roots