‘Down in the Valley’ Recap: ‘Hoodoo Women’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Hayley Harris and Nicco Annan in Episode 105 of ‘Down in the Valley’ – ‘Hoodoo Women’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Down in the Valley’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely safe to say that each corner of the United States of America is known for one thing and one thing alone. For instance, California is known for being the entertainment capital of the world, since that is where Hollywood resides. Whereas Washington D.C. is forever known as the seat of power for the free world since it is where our legislature resides. Not to mention, Colorado and Utah are known for the wonder of the Rocky Mountains and places like Kansas and Nebraska are known for their amber waved plains, that feed so many. Speaking of food, there’s also the seafood you can find in New England and well… people in America are okay with this since it simplifies the wonder of this grand and beautiful nation. 

But what’s interesting about America, is that it harbors an outlier in such matters. Because the South and the states that make it up, are known for a blend of so much. Since it is a region that features amazing food, and it happens to be the home of musical history… and it showcases the true power of the melting pot concept that America was founded upon. Since New Orleans harbors that flair of French amid a Cajun vibe. But above all, it is also a deeply religious portion of the nation. In fact, it is known as the Bible Belt to so many, since it harbors devout souls that hold their hearts up to the Lord every Sunday. But since this region is so diverse and so full of culture and life, most are likely unaware of the fact that its religious ties go far deeper than simply praising the Lord Jesus’ name. 

For in some parts of the South, such as New Orleans, there is voodoo in the mix. Brought to the shores thanks to the close ties between the Gulf of Mexico and Haiti, and in the heart of Memphis, there is also… a deep-rooted religion that so many know nothing of… Hoodoo. Which is not voodoo in the slightest, but something vastly different, and we know now how different it is, thanks to this week’s episode of Down in the Valley on STARZ. For Nicco Annan introduced us to this religion in ‘Hoodoo Women’ and well… what we learned was quite incredible to say the least. Such as the fact that Hoodoo is something that most folks don’t hear of, because it truly belongs to the African American community, and we don’t pay African Americans enough mind, and that it was brought to America because of the slave trade that brought forth war.

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Nicco Annan and Miss Lisa Jones in Episode 105 of ‘Down in the Valley’ – ‘Hoodoo Women’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

For Hoodoo is deeply rooted in African traditions with hints of Christianity. In fact, Nicco pointed out that so many Hoodoo practitioners are also practicing Christians. All because Hoodoo offers a little more than the Good Book can offer. Which was explored via two key introductions. One of which was Miss Lisa Jones. Who we learned owns a Hoodoo store that provides products and potions and oils designed to help folks in life. For that is the core of Hoodoo. In that it is designed for maximum and immediate impact in manifesting what people need in the moment. Sometimes through some powerhouse means that resemble Voodoo and that helped to bring forth negative stereotypes in popular media regarding Hoodoo. As evidenced by Nicco’s encounter with an anonymous practitioner that used a cow tongue to manifest silence from those who spit out venomous words to others. 
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But even then, that’s not harmful or evil. Just a very intense way to ask the universe to silence people that look down upon others and there are even rituals designed to help purge grief. And that chance for immediate impact… really does draw folks like Hayley Harris into its practices. Because she was our second introduction and she spoke to a life that she felt was directionless and in need of action, and thus, the discovery of Hoodoo… gave her just that. A move that truly hammered home how Hoodoo fulfills needs and wants and traditional religion, feeds one’s soul and provides one with guidance on how to be the best person they can be and yes… these two elements do indeed work together and well, this exploration brought forth, one powerful learning experience for the audience.

Because let’s be honest, the identity established in the South when it comes to religion, conjures up images of a tent revival or people praising Jesus emphatically with dance and song in their Sunday best. But clearly, religion goes so much deeper in the valley. It’s about guiding one’s life from beginning to end in every positive way imaginable and that’s just fascinating. For we don’t see that elsewhere in America and perhaps there’s nowhere else in the world where multiple religious beliefs exist in harmony. But those who hold to Hoodoo have a better understanding regarding harmony than the rest of us, and how religion can be so much more than devout expectations and on occasion, the anthesis of what it stands for, and that’s now in mind for the rest of us… thanks to this amazing documentary and its grand look at life as it stands in the valley. Until next time.  

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