Goofer dust
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Goofer dust is a traditional hexing material and practice of the Black American tradition of hoodoo from the Southern United States. It has roots in traditional Kongo religion.[1]
The word goofer in goofer dust has Kongo origins and comes from the Kikongo word Kufwa which means "to die."[2] Among older hoodoo practitioners, this derivation is very clear, because "goofer" is not only used as an adjective modifying "dust" but also a verb ("He goofered that man") and a noun ("She put a goofer on him"). As late as the 1930s, goofering was a regional synonym for hoodooing, and in North Carolina at least, the meaning of the term was broadened beyond spells of damage, illness, and death to include love spells cast with dominating intent.[3]
A euphemistic word for goofering is "poisoning," which in this context does not refer to a physical poison but to a physical agent that, through magical means, brings about an "unnatural illness" or the death of the victim. Even more euphemistic is the special use of the verb "hurt," which is often defined as "to poison," with the tacit understanding that "to poison" really means "to goofer." The more general verbs "fix" (meaning to prepare a spell) and "trick" (meaning to cast a spell) are also applied to goofering.[4]
Description
It can generally refer to any powder used to cast a spell, especially if harmful in nature, but specifically refers to a concoction of natural ingredients that can be used to cause harm, trouble or even kill an enemy. Some historical sources, such as some of the interviews conducted by Harry M. Hyatt, indicate goofer dust can be synonymous with graveyard dirt.[5]
