On the coast of South Carolina, descendants of former slaves still live in communities that retain the language and beliefs of the slave days. The Gullah culture has a strong belief in herbalism, spiritualism and a brand of magic they call "the root." Raised in the heart of Gullah country, author Roger Pinckney provides an inside look at the history, practices and people that make up this colorful American subculture.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Roger Pinckney (Midwest) was born and raised in Beaufort County, South Carolina. His work has appeared in American Heritage, American History, Country America and other periodicals. His historical tour-book The Beaufort Cronicles has consistently made the local best-seller list on the South Carolina coast since its publication in April 1996.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blue roots is a good introduction to a fascinating topic.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Blue Roots: African-American Folk Magic of the Gullah People (Paperback)
Written in the colloquial, narrative style that characterizes much of the writng of the South Carolina Low-Country, "Blue Roots" is a readable introduction to a culture and folk religious practice that has been a part of Southeastern low-country life since the first Afro-Americans were brought to it's shores as slaves. Pinckney is masterful in creating the mood and "feel" of the gullah culture with its unique personalities such as Dr. Bug, Dr Buzzard and J.E.McTeer, former High Sheriff, businessman and "root doctor." I met Mr. McTeer if the early 1970s while doing field research on the "root culture" around Beaufort, South Carolina and found him charming, complex and most astute with regard to his "practice." "I'm a poor-man's psychiatrist." he remarked "my clients don't trust regular doctors, so they come to me." On the other hand, he had no doubt as to the effectiveness of the "magic" he performed in a small roon adjoining his real estate office in downtown Beaufort. Those who want to look beneath the surface of this complex world may wish to explore the titles listed in Pinckney's bibliography including those titles by Puckett and Hyatt which, admittedly, does require some effort on the reader's part, but reveals fascinating details such as the strong probability that the use of the name "Dr. Buzzard" predates the individual mentioned in "Blue Roots." Pinckney's "Blue Roots", can, and should be seen as a excellent entry, much like the port city of Charleston is to South Carolina, into a incredible world that many pass by and without recognizing the complexity, beauty and magic contained therein.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
You Want This,
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This review is from: Blue Roots: African-American Folk Magic of the Gullah People (Paperback)
Do you enjoy folklore? Are you interested in the Gullah people? Do you just want to read some spooky tales? If so, this is the book for you. Blue Roots explains how the Gullah got to SC and why they alone out all of black America have hung on to so much of their African culture. You will be chilled by stories of the dreaded plateye and the hag. You will read of Dr.Buzzard the greatest of the root doctors and how the High Sherrif of the Low Country brought him down. I especially appreciated the fact that the author showed a respect for the Gullah and their ways and made no judgements. Kimberley Wilson, author of 11 Things Mama Should Have Told You About Men
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
informative and easy read,
By A Customer
This review is from: Blue Roots: African-American Folk Magic of the Gullah People (Paperback)
if you liked Midnight in the Garden of Good and evil, you'll love Blue Roots. The true story of Dr. Buzzard and his voodoo colleagues.
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