SOUTHERN CONJURE WOMEN: MANIFESTORS OF SOUTHERN BLACK JOY
B
Ke h n a D ake
A THESIS
S bmi ed o
Michigan S a e Uni e i
in a ial f lfillmen of he e i emen
fo he deg ee of
Li e a e in Engli h Ma e of A
2022
ABSTRACT
SOUTHERN CONJURE WOMEN: MANIFESTORS OF SOUTHERN BLACK JOY
B
Ke h n a D ake
So he n Conj e omen a e he manife o of So he n Black jo . So he n conj e
omen a e omen f om o in he So h. The e omen ili e oo o k and/o conj e a a
mean of em o e men , elf- e e a ion, and healing. In he di c ion of So he n conj e
omen, I em lo "conj e femini m" o nde and he ignificance of So he n conj e omen
and hei ole in ocie . In addi ion, I al o e Lind e S e a ' T e P c f B ac J o
di c ho oo o k la a ignifican ole in he od c ion of So he n Black jo . In m
di c ion of he So he n conj e oman, I e lo e Glo ia Na lo ' Ma a Da and N o ake
Shange' Sa af a , C e &I dg .I ili e cha ac e f om he e o k a a che e of
So he n conj e omen. I al o alk abo ho each cha ac e ili e oo o k and conj e o
manife So he n Black jo .
Thi he i i dedica ed o m famil .
Thank o fo o ing me and belie ing in me.
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I o ld like o hank D . Kini a B ook and D . K i in Mahone fo hei endle o and
enco agemen .
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In od c ion.....................................................................................................................................1
Whe e he e i a oman, he e i magic ......................................................................................6
A T e Conj e Woman .............................................................................................................16
Concl ion.....................................................................................................................................26
BIBLIOGRAPHY .30
In od c ion
In C gM e Af ca A e ca L e a e, Kameelah L. Ma in de c ibe a conj e
a a media o be een he i ible and in i ible o ld : he bali , fo ne- elle , mid i e ,
i i ali (34). In B ac Mag c, Y onne R. Chi ea e lain ha conj e a e leade i hin
hei comm ni ie ho ili e hei e na al o e fo he be e men of hei comm ni ie .
Chi ea al o em ha i e ha conj e ili e hei o e fo bo h bene olen and male olen
magic (106). F om bo h Ma in and Chi ea ' defini ion of a conj e , I de c ibe So he n
conj e omen a omen ho a e f om o in he So h. The a e in e media ie be een he
i ible and in i ible o ld . The a e ominen fig e in hei comm ni ie , ho e hei
e na al o e o libe a e hem el e and o he .
To di c So he n conj e omen, I n o N o ake Shange Sa af a C e &I dg
and Glo ia Na lo Ma a Da o di c he a che e of So he n conj e omen. In
Shange o k, I foc on he li e of Sa af a , C e , and Indigo. Sa af a i he elde of
he i e ho i a ea e . She ili e he a a a mean fo elf-e e ion and elf-di co e .
C e , he middle i e , i a dance . She ili e dance a a mean fo libe a ion and ance o
ene a ion. Indigo, he o nge , ha a magical e ec i e on he o ld. She ili e he ni e
nde anding o aid and lif he comm ni . Each i e nde goe a i i al jo ne in a
e o find hem el e . In Na lo o k, I cen e he life of Mama Da , ho i a ma ia ch
i hin he famil and a ignifican fig e i hin he comm ni . Mama Da i a mid ife and a
i i ali ho ili e he abili ie o hel and em o e he comm ni . Al ho gh I ili e
he e cha ac e o di c he a che e of So he n conj e omen, he a che e a e no
limi ed o he e cha ac e .
1
In o de o gain a be e nde anding of he e cha ac e and e lain he ignificance of
So he n conj e omen, I ili e conj e femini m. Conj e femini m i a e m coined b
Kini a B ook , Kameelah L. Ma in, and LaKi ha Simmon . Conj e femini m cen e on he
kno ledge ha i a ed do n o Black omen b hei fo emo he . Conj e femini m al o
em ha i e he i ibili of he conj e oman and he con ib ion o Black omen
"kno ledge od c ion." Thi e of "kno ledge od c ion" ha aided no onl he Black
comm ni b al o ocie a a hole. Conj e femini m gi e alida ion o he kno ledge and
i dom ha Black omen a imila e f om hei g andmo he ki chen , ga den , and home ,
and i al o ecogni e he ignificance of he e lace (B ook , Ma in, Simmon ). In Kini a
B ook ' "M le Medicine," P ofe o B ook e lain ha conj e femini m allo Black
omen o edi co e hem el e , and i o ide Black omen i h ool o hold ace and heal
h o gh i i al o k (B ook ). F he mo e, conj e femini m o ide an nde anding of
he ni e e e ience and e e ion of Black omen and ho he e hing ha e hei
eali ie and in e e a ion .
To gi e mo e in igh on So he n conj e omen, I al o n o Lind e S e a T eP c f
B ac J . In S e a di c ion of he oli ic of Black jo , P ofe o S e a lace Zo a
Neale H on o k in j a o i ion i h he o k of neo-aboli ioni o anal e he oli ic
o nding he e e ion of So he n Black jo . S e a nco e in he anal i ha he
o ee e ion of So he n Black jo lead o mini . On he con a , he lack he eof lead o
he confine of he neo-aboli ioni ' na a i e . The e o of na a i e ake a a Black
agenc . P ofe o S e a e lain ha Zo a Neale H on o k i a medi m in he dialec
be een mini and he neo-aboli ioni ' na a i e . Thi i d e o H on a of ef al and
ackno ledgemen of So he n Black jo in he blic he e ia he o k (S e a 35).
2
In m e lo a ion of T e P c f B ac J , I foc ecificall on P ofe o S e a
e lana ion of ho H on ili e oo o k a a mean of So he n Black jo . I al o hink
abo H on, ho a a conj e oman, and ho he ili ed oo o k in he ok o
celeb a ion Black So he n life and iden i . Th o gh he ac ice of oo o k, Black omen
ha e c ea ed ace of healing fo hem el e and o he . In "M le Medicine," Kini a B ook
e lain ha "Black omen ha e long been oo o ke lling f om ance al adi ion of
he Af ican dia o a"(B ook ). P ofe o B ook define " oo o king" a an in eg a ed
kno ledge ac ice ha come f om Black omen li ed e e ience . P ofe o B ook
e lain ha oo o k encom a e he " i i al, in ellec al, and ac ical need of Black
omen" (B ook ). Roo o k i an in e gene a ional medicinal ac ice ha ha been ili ed b
Black omen a a mean of healing and i i al em o e men . Roo o k al o gi e Black
omen a onom o e hei bodie and hei e ali .
Mo eo e , o f he nde and he connec ion be een conj e and oo o k, I n o
S e hanie Y. Mi chem Af ca A e ca F Hea g. Mi chem e lain ha a "conj e
co ld al o be kno n a a oo o ke beca e kno ledge and e of lan life i a a of he
ac ice of conj ing" (106). Al o, Mi chem a g e ha in man in ance , he e m "conj e "
and oo o ke ae ili ed in e changeabl (103). In M W ', Ka ina Ha a d-Donald
no e ha oo o k i al o a ocia ed i h Hoodoo (42). In Lind e S e a di c ion of
H on e of oo o k a a of libe a o ac ice, P ofe o S e a al o no e H on e
of fig e ch a High John he Con e o (123). High John he Con eo i a ominen
fig e in he Hoodoo adi ion (Ha a d-Donald 142). Hoodoo i a collec ion of i i al
ac ice , adi ion , and belief de elo ed b en la ed Black eo le in he So he n a of he
Uni ed S a e . P ofe o Ha a d-Donald e lain ha High John he Con e o i bo h a
3
ignifican fig e and a oo i hin Hoodoo (122). In fac , High John he Con e o oo i
men ioned in F ed ick Do gla la e na a i e. In Do gla na a i e, Sand Jenkin , ho i
a oo o ke , gi e Do gla he oo o hel him o e come hi i a ion i h he la e-b eake ,
Co e . Beca e of he oo , Do gla a able o a oid ni hmen f om Co e and e en all
e ca e o f eedom (Do gla 108). The High John oo , al o kno n a he Mo ning Glo oo , i
a o e f l oo ha ha been ili ed b eo le fo l ck, o ec ion, o o make o come and
i a ion go in hei fa o (Ha a d-Donald 124). Ka ina Ha a d-Donald e lain ha he
oo " o e i de i ed f om i ela ion hi i h en la emen and he i i of ebellion and
e i ance" (122). In Zo a Neale H on H g J de C e , he e lain ha High John i
"o ho e-b inge ," and he o ide i h he o e o o e come an i a ion o ob acle
(H on 16).
Like High John, he So he n conj e oman o ide he comm ni i h he i i al
g idance needed fo hei em o e men . The efo e, I make he a g men ha So he n conj e
omen manife So he n Black jo . Thi i no o a ha So he n conj e omen a e he onl
eo le ho can manife So he n Black jo . So he n conj e omen, on he o he hand, ha e
been ominen fig e in he celeb a ion and libe a ion of So he n Black c l al iden i . In
he follo ing cha e , I ill di c he ignificance of conj e omen, and ho he em lo
oo o k o manife Black So he n jo . In he cha e , "Whe e he e i a oman, he e i
magic, '' I e lo e he li e of Sa af a , C e , and Indigo. I al o di c ho Shange ili e
he meaning of hei name o connec he cha ac e o So h Ca olina. I al o e lain ho he
lan and he cha ac e a e ela ed. Fi , I alk abo Indigo, and he ni e a of eeing he
o ld. I al o e lain he ela ion hi i h he doll and ho hi ela ion hi i ignifican o he
i i al de elo men . Ne , I anal e Sa af a and he jo ne of edi co e . Finall , I
4
e amine C e and ho he e dance a a fo m of i i al o k. In he cha e "A T e
Conj e Woman," I e lo e Mama Da and ho he e he o e a a mid ife and conj e o
hel and em o e he comm ni . Finall , in he concl ion, I go in o de ail abo he
im o ance and ignificance of he e conj e omen and hei o ie and ho he con ib e o
So he n Black jo , and I al o alk abo he ignificance and im o ance of So he n Black jo
and he So he n Conj e oman.
5
Whe e he e i a oman, he e i magic
N o ake Shange Sa af a C e & I d g , deal i h he li e of h ee i e . Each i e
name i connec ed o a lan , and he e lan a e na i e o So h Ca olina. Thi o of
connec i i ho ho he i e iden i ie a e oo ed in So h Ca olina. F he mo e, he e i
a ong connec ion be een he i e and he lan . Fo in ance, Sa af a i named af e he
Sa af a lan . Thi lan i ed o hel i h omen e od c i e heal h. Sa af a i a
oman ho em lo he a a a ea e o celeb a e omanhood. C e i a lan ha i
ili ed o aid in men e al enhancemen . C e i kno n a a lo e of e e al men. La l ,
he indigo lan i ignifican o he hi o of So h Ca olina. Indigo ha a ong connec ion o
he land. Unlike he i e , Indigo ha ne e lef Cha le on. Mo eo e , h o gho he no el,
Shange ili e medicinal magic o f he ho he i e connec i i o i i al o k and
oo o k. Each cha e con ain in e gene a ional eci e and o i i al i al . In doing o,
Shange ho ho in e gene a ional od c ion of kno ledge i ili ed b each i e o aid on
hei i i al jo ne .
Indigo, he o nge i e , con o ih i i . Indigo can of en be fo nd i ing among he
doll . The e doll a e he com anion , ho kee i h Indigo change , mood , and d eam .
When o in blic, Indigo i al a een ca ing one of he doll . While engaging in
con e a ion i h o he , ome ime he e c e he elf beca e he doll a e calling. Indigo
ela ion hi i h he doll of en lead o he o belie e ha he ha " oo m ch So h in he "
(Shange 3-4). In LeRonda S. Maniga l -B an Ta g e Dead, Maniga l -B an
di c e he ac ice of alking o he dead among G llah Geechee omen. Maniga l -B an
e lain ha alking o he dead i a i i al e e ience he e connec ion a e made i h he
decea ed, and he e ence of he dead e eal mo e han o d . I i h o gh hi fo - ie ed
6
oce o enne , ackno ledgmen , acce ance, and comm nica ion ha he e omen
connec o ho e ho a e gone e ill emain" (105). In e ence, Indigo alk o ii hom
he ha h icall c af ed in o doll b ili ing i em f om he ea h. Indigo' enchan men
allo he he o enne , ackno ledgmen , acce ance, and comm nica ion needed o connec
i h he dead. The e i i a e he com anion , ho nde and and effec i el comm nica e
i h he . Indigo' affini fo i i allo he dead o comm nica e i h he h o gh he d eam .
Indigo find jo in con e ing i h he doll and ca ie hem e e he e. Indigo ela ion hi
i h he doll gi e he a diffe en o look and e ec i e on he o ld. Indigo em lo hi
o look no onl o libe a e he elf b al o o libe a e o he .
Indigo kee a moon jo nal. Indigo moon jo nal con ain diffe en i al ha a e i able fo
he diffe en ha e of he moon. The moon jo nal incl de i al fo elf-lo e, kee ing a lo e ,
ge ing id of e il i i , and ene a ing ance o . Thi o of kno ledge od c ion i
di c ed i hin conj e femini m. In Kini a B ook "M le Medicine," P ofe o B ook
e lain ha conj e femini m "libe a e he dia o ic and folklo ic ac ice of ii o k."
Indigo e he kno ledge of he moon ha e , he b , and folklo ic ac ice o con c i al
ha a e i able fo ce ain i a ion o ailmen . Mo eo e , hen Indigo ecei e he e iod,
he c ea e a i al fo he elf and he doll .
When o fi eali e o blood ha come, mile; an hone mile; fo o a e abo o ha e
an in en e nion i h o magic. Thi i a i a e ime, a ecial ime, fo hinking and
d eaming. Change o bed hee o he one ha a e o fa o i e. Slee i h a la el leaf nde
o head. Take ba h in ild h o , hi e a e lilie . Li en fo he oice of o i ion;
he a e nea b . Le anno ing eo le, d aining o ie , fall a a a o bod le ha he
7
doe n need go f om he . Remembe ha o a ea i e ; o bank a e ed hone he e he
Moon ande (Shange 19-20).
Indigo moon i al allo he o emb ace he men a ion i h "an hone mile." Indigo
e lain he ignificance of a oman men a ion and ho i i an "in en e ime i h [ hei ]
magic." In doing o, Indigo ake a a he nega i i a ocia ed i h men a ion. Indigo
o ide a ni e e ec i e on ho omen ho ld ie hei men a ion and ho he
ho ld ca e fo hem el e hile he e going h o gh hei c cle. In doing o, Indigo c ea e a
elf-ca e i al ha gi e hem an a ecia ion of hei omanhood.
Sa af a , like he mo he , i a ea e . Sa af a , nlike he mo he , doe no an o ea e
clo he fo Mi Fi h gh, o he mo e o Lo Angele o join he Black a i mo emen . While
in Lo Angele , Sa af a mee Mi ch, a fello Black a i ho la he al o a . Af e
mee ing Mi ch, Sa af a fall in lo e i h him, and he mo e in oge he . Sa af a feed off
he lo e fo Mi ch and a and ili e i o i e oe and ea e Af ocen ic deco a ion fo
hei a a men . She em lo omen like Jo e hine Bake a m e fo he oe and a .
Ho e e , Mi ch doe no ee al e in he c ea i i o he e e ion of he en ali . When
Sa af a " e e e ed a e in-and-fea he hanging ha ed like a agina fo Jo e hine Bake ."
Mi ch make he hide he c ea ion beca e he belie e i i n i able "fo a ne Af ikan oman
o make hing of ch e al na e" (Shange 78). In A d e Lo de' "U e of he E o ic," Lo de
a , "I i a ho e f om he e o he fal e belief ha onl b he e ion of he e o ic
i hin o li e and con cio ne can omen be l ong. B ha eng h i ill o , fo i
fa hioned i hin he con e of he male model of o e "(Lo de 53). Mi ch e he ideolog of
he "ne Af ikan oman" a a mean of o e ion. The ideologie o nding he "ne
Af ikan oman" ifle Sa af a c ea i i beca e he limi he idea of "Black ide" o he
8
confine of Black a ia ch . In addi ion, Mi ch nde anding of he "ne Af ikan oman" i
al o limi ed beca e he ie he "ne Af ikan oman" f om a a ia chal and oin . In
e ence, Mi ch e hi di o ed ie of ha and ho he "ne Af ikan oman" i o o e
Sa af a and con ol he ie abo ho he ho ld c ea e and ac a a Black oman. In
doing o, Mi ch limi Sa af a go h bo h c ea i el and i i all . Sa af a i nable o
e e he e ali and celeb a e he omanhood in he a ha he de i e . Mi ch
ea men of Sa af a ca e he o lo e he en e of elf and elf- o h. In lo ing he en e of
elf, Sa af a doe no eali e he al e of he c af .
Sa af a ca ie a o nd a en e of ide in he mo he c af . Wea ing i an in e gene a ional
gif ha he omen in he famil ha e ili ed fo gene a ion . I ga e Sa af a a en e of ide
o kno ha he omen in he famil did mo e han make babie . "Sa af a had ne e an ed
o ea e, he j co ldn hel i . The e a ome hing abo he feel of a fleece and fini hed
h ead and dain a e ned iece ha a a e en ial o he a dancing i o Ca men
DeLa allade, o inging o A e ha F anklin. He mama had done i , and he mama befo e ha ;
and making clo h a he onl adi ion Sa af a inhe i ed ha ga e he a en e of omanhood
ha a ich and en o , no i ed and ing " (Shange 91-92). In hei di c ion of conj e
femini m, B ook , Ma in, and Simmon e lain ha "Black omen e e en a comm ni of
inhe i o ." Sa af a i an inhe i o . She inhe i he c af of ea ing f om he fo emo he .
Sa af a ili e hi c af o ca on he legac of he ance o . In doing o, Sa af a kee
he kno ledge of he ance o ali e. Sa af a ' c af al o kee he e o he elf beca e i i
oo ed in he being. Th o gh he c af , Sa af a a in o he en o ne and emb ace he
omanhood.
9
C e ha a dee a ecia ion fo life. C e like ee ine, cocaine, and lo of men. He
ho e i "f ll of folk f om d k o noon." C e doe no allo an chai o hoe in he
ho e. She kee an al a fo he O i ha. C e al o ha ic le abo kee ing he home
nea and f ee f om nega i i (Shange 102). In S e hanie Y. Mi chem' di c ion of healing, he
a , "Af ican Ame ican omen ha e fo nd a o o k a o nd hei ma ginali ed a ,
incl ding e of folk kno ledge in he de elo men of ne fo m of folk healing...Thi
i i ali ma be n ed a home o in he ch ch" (Mi chem 85). C e doe no allo he
ma ginali ed a a a Black oman o de e mine he ajec o of he life. C e ind lge in
life lea e .C e li e he life na ologe icall beca e he ha a en e of
elf-a a ene . C e en e of elf-a a ene i d e o he connec ion i h he O i ha.
Al ho gh C e home i al a filled i h man i io ,C e doe no allo o he o
di he ambience i hin he home. C e nde and he im o ance of kee ing he home
ac ed. I i h o gh he home' ac edne ha allo C e o emain g o nded and
i i all in ne.
C e dance i h a Black nde g o nd dance com an in San F anci co. D ing hei Black
O e fo mance, he aid homage o he Hai ian i i Damballah.
The dance had been in he ai le doing mode n black Ame ican con ac ion and lide and
i el and hing , and no he e e all ancien and Af ican and holl non-We Coa
Califo nia. I o magic folk feel hei o n ance o coming o of he ea h o be in he
ealm of hei de cendan ; he feel he blood of hei mo he ill flo ing in hem, i o
of he dia o a (Shange 114).
D ing he e fo mance, C e , and he o he dance an i ion f om mode n Black dance o
Af ican i ali ic dance a a mean o e oke he i i of Damballah. The an i ion be een
10
mode n Black dance and Af ican i ali ic dance ho ho he dance ili e he a of dance
o connec i h hei ance o . The e fo mance i elf no onl e oke he ance o of he
dance b ho e of he a dience a ell. In Ka ina Ha a d Donald "Hoodoo Religion and
Ame ican Dance T adi ion," D . Ha a d-Donald di c e ce emonial dance. P ofe o Ha a d
Donald e lain , "When an indi id al e ed in o he allo ed ace, he commanded he
o nding comm ni a en ion and o . In he ac ed ci cle, he cen e a a o e of
i i al ene g and o e hich e e en a e a a e ac ed ealm, one no of he ma e ial
eali ie of en la emen . I e e en ed a eali hich connec ed one o he ance o and
econfi med con in i h o gh bo h ime and ace" (196). C e and he fello dance
commanded he a dience. Th o gh hei e fo mance, he c ea ed a o e ha connec he
e en o he a . Thei e fo mance a a commemo a ion and ene a ion of he ance o of
he dia o a.
Af e Indigo ecei e he e iod, he nde goe a an i ion f om gi lhood o omanhood.
D ing he an i ion, Indigo mo he fo ce he o he doll a a . Indigo e lace he doll
i h he iolin. I become he ne com anion. Indigo die he iolin e e mme ;
ho e e , " he concen a e[ ] mo e on lea ning ha A n Ha dee kne . Gi ing bi h, c ing
omen folk [and] hei lo ed one . A fi , A n Ha dee onl allo [ ] Indigo o la he fiddle
o oo he he omen in labo , b oon he mo he , he child en o gh Indigo fo elief f om
el i e di ie , h nge of he o l" (Shange 222). In S e hanie Y. Mi chem' di c ion of
healing , Mi chem e lain , "Af ican Ame ican omen' embodied i i ali i g o nded in a
diffe en e ec i e of he h man e on, a e ec i e ha nifie bod and o l i hin he life
of he a , e en , and f e comm ni in con e a ion i h an e e - e en God. Thi
holi ic ie of he e on in comm ni i a ead -made con c fo he de elo men of, o
11
a achmen o, folk healing" (85). Indigo' inabili o comm nica e i h he doll doe no e e
he ela ion hi ih i i . She nde and he fl idi of i i , and he main ain he
connec ion h o gh he iolin. She em lo he iolin o comm nica e and ela me age fo
i i . Indigo' connec ion e mi he o eak o eo le' o l h o gh m ic. Wo king i h
A n Ha dee allo Indigo o ee he bea of healing and mid ife , and he eali e ha he
o e i g o nded in he connec ion i h he comm ni . Indigo nde and ha jo fo he i
in e i de o and fo he comm ni .
Af e lea ing Lo Angele , Sa af a and Mi ch mo ed o Ba on Ro ge, Lo i iana o join "The
Ne Wo ld Fo nd Collec ion."
Sa af a had ied e e hing o be a decen Ibejii, a San e a. She de e a el an ed o make
Och . To ea hi e i h he Eleke . To kee he com an of ie & ie e e . The Ne
Wo ld Fo nd Collec ion he e he & Mi ch had been li ing fo o e a ea offe ed i i al
edem ion...Mi ch j made hing ha de . Al a com laining, ef ing o o k i h he o he
men, di e ec ing he dei ie , c ing...He ande ed f om he collec i e f e en l , e ning
incohe en , di , and nacce able (Shange 211).
D ing Sa af a ime in Ba on Ro ge i h "The Ne Fo nd Collec ion", Sa af a i
ini ia ed in o San e a. San e a i an Af ican-ba ed eligion fo nded in C ba (Chi ea 67).
Sa af a look a joining he collec i e a a f e h a , and he i o imi ic abo he ne
jo ne . Sa af a i al o commi ed o he mi ion of he collec i e. Sa af a ha an a den
de i e fo i i al edem ion. Sa af a i dedica ed o change, and he i o imi ic abo
becoming a ie e in San e a. Sa af a lo e he ne life. On he o he hand, Mi ch i no
commi ed o change a all. He i con an l o of eg la ion i hin he collec i e and he ha
con in all been di e ec f l o he de o ee and he O i ha . Mi ch i e hibi ing hi e io
12
o ic beha io , hich make i diffic l fo Sa af a . Sa af a connec ion o Mi ch i
n ing he g o h i hin he collec i e.
In fac , d ing a bi hda celeb a ion fo he O i ha, Shango, Sa af a make an offe ing and
a fo a bab . Mama Mbe e and Mama S ma a a e he ha he i h ill be g an ed, b
he al o a n he ha he ill oon fall f om g ace if he doe no abandon Mi ch. Mama
Mbe e and Mama S ma a e lain, "The ne one hall be c ed, if o don eno nce he
fa he . Belie e , he i nclean" (Shange 216-217). In T e S fI ac , Sobonf Som
di c e he ill ion of omance. She e lain , "Roman ic lo e i an a ac ion ha c off
i i and comm ni , lea ing o eo le o in en a ela ion hi b hem el e . I i he
o o i e of a ela ion hi ha le i i be he g ide. Romance igno e all he age of a
i i al coming oge he , he e e begin a he bo om of he mo n ain and g ad all a el in
ni on o he o . I doe no lea e oom fo he e iden i of he eo le in ol ed o ho
h o gh. I fo e anon mi and fo ce eo le o ma e ade'' (96). Sa af a i in a e iod of
an i ion. She i edi co e ing he elf and nco e ing he o e. Ho e e , o mo e o he
ne le el in he jo ne , he m make a diffic l deci ion. Sa af a ' ela ion hi i h Mi ch
i kee ing he agnan . Sa af a i blinded b he lo e and infa a ion fo Mi ch. Mi ch
ob c i e beha io make him oblema ic in he e e of he collec i e. Sa af a i ell
e ec ed in he comm ni . Ho e e , i doe no make fo Mi ch nega i e beha io , and he
elde of he collec i e a n Sa af a ha he con an need o hold he ela ion hi ih
Mi ch ill no onl be de imen al o he , b al o he nbo n child.
Unfo na el , Sa af a fail o ake heed o he ad ice of he elde , and he fall
f om g ace.
13
"Sa af a o e hi e. She a ed. She o e clo h, no hinking ho i a fo . She d fallen
f om g ace. Mama Mbe e, Mama S ma a, Mama I abod a ed chicken o e he all nigh . In
he mo ning, he a a i ion of he mo he . She la on a bed of o ange , o nded b b ning
ello candle , ea ing hone . I I g g ca ee g e. I g e I
e af e a . Ma g g: ec a d ec d, e " (Shange 218).
Af e Sa af a fall f om g ace, he goe h o gh he oce of a onemen . D ing he oce
of a onemen , he elde a ed "chicken o e he all nigh ." The ne mo ning, Sa af a ge
a i ion of he mo he , and he eali e ha he m e n home. The i ion gi e Sa af a a
ni e e ec i e on he gif , and he eali e ha he f lfillmen ha he a ea ching fo
a al ead i hin he . Sa af a al o nde and ha Mi ch i a liabili , and he onl ha
oom fo one child in he life. U on hi eali a ion, Sa af a e n home o Cha le on.
Af e lea ing San F anci co, C e a el o Ne Yo k i h a dance com an . While in Ne
Yo k, C e ho e o be di co e ed b a majo dance com an . Ho e e , af e a i ing in
Ne Yo k, hing do no go a lanned, and C e end in and o of ela ion hi and
dance dio n il he econnec i h Le o . He o ide he i h a en e of abili and
ho he ho o gi e he elf o omeone el e i ho lo ing he elf. He e e ience ih
Le o each C e ha he o e i mo e ignifican han j dancing.
C e laid a e o he nnel , ca e n , and he hado of he o he o ld. She d e on
memo ie of he o n blood: he e ence o ld be a mo al h ea o ho e ho o nded,
maimed, he ance o , he lo e , Le o . Like ho e omen befo e he ho loaded b ndle on
hei head and ma ched off o field ha e e no hei o n, like he bea e of he d eam
am ed i h bi h of infan he o ld ne e ea , C e cl ng o he bod , he bod of a
14
dance ; he cha of he eckle ne , he la ea on, he e ime e : blood, m cle, and he ill
o im l change he o ld (Shange 208).
In Lind e S e a di c ion of oo o k, P ofe o S e a e lain ha oo ok
i ilege o ela ion hi iho ance o and allo o d a on he eng h of o
ance o o o e come o e ion (86). C e jo ne o Ne Yo k allo he o edi co e
he elf. In he elf-di co e , C e econnec i h he ance o . I i h o gh he connec ion
i h he ance o ha enable C e o nde and he o e. Wi hin ha nde anding,
C e concl de ha he o e i bigge han j dance. C e eali e ha he m e
he gif of dance o "change he o ld." In doing o, C e lea e Ne Yo k and head back o
Cha le on i h a dance com an ho e ole mi ion i dedica ed o he figh again aci m,
and he figh fo ci il igh .
15
A T e Conj e Woman
Glo ia Na lo ' Ma a Da begin i h a genealogical ma o ho Mi anda Da (Mama Da )
bloodline f om he g ea g andmo he Sa hi a Wade o he g ea -niece O helia (Cocoa).
Sa hi a a an en la ed oman bo gh b Ba combe Wade, i h hom he bo e e en
child en. La e , he con inced Ba combe o gi e Willo S ing o hi en la ed omen and
men. Mama Da and Mi Abigail a e he g andchild en of hei e en h on. Like Sa hi a,
Mama Da i al o infl en ial in Willo S ing .
While Mama Da i e a ing fo he a i al of he g ea niece, Cocoa, he ecei e a i i f om
Be nice. Be nice i dealing i h infe ili , and he i eeking Mama Da ad ice abo ing a
ne infe ili d g. Ho e e , Mama Da ad i e Be nice o con in e o ake he a g a and
ea ha he e c ibed fo he . Mama Da a e Be nice ha he ill be oka , and ha he
ill make he ome g o nd a be o ake along i h he o he he b ha he e c ibed fo
he . She al o ad i e Be nice o "gi e i ime" (Na lo 43). In Ka ina Ha a d-Donald Mojo
Wo kin, D . Ha a d-Donald e lain ha mid i e a e killed he bali ho can ili e hei
kill in he b and oo o hel he childle o concei e (137). A a killed he bali and
mid ife, Mama Da can f ll g a Be nice i a ion. Mama Da ad i e Be nice no o
he d g beca e he nde and f om e e ience ha Be nice bod canno handle he ong
d g. Mama Da al o nde and ha Be nice m gi e he he b and ea ime o o k, and
he ad i e Be nice o ha e a ience.
Ho e e , Be nice did no heed Mama Da ad ice. Af e Be nice become ill f om aking
"Pe ganol," an o e - he-co n e e c i ion d g ha aid in fe ili , Mama Da a e e he
i a ion and offe he e e i e. Af e a i ing a Be nice and Amb h , Mama Da di co e
in Be nice ine, and he decide o e amine Be nice e .
16
Mi anda lide he finge in o Be nice eal gen le. Them inkled finge had gone ha a
o man ime fo o man diffe en ea on . A a h he kne o ell ha he ligh e change
of moi e, he amo n of gi e along he all , o he cen lef on he hand co ld fi a
oman c cle i hin le han a da of ha a ha ening i h he moon. When he ge
o he beginning of Be nice omb, he he again i and c he lef hand heel a he
i a e hai , finge nea he na el --- and e e do n. Good hing he no hing b a bone,
Mi anda hink . I co ld j abo feel hi omb if I had m igh hand behind he ine. I
a me han i ho ld be b ha f om he infec ion., and i go a be eading do n f om he
be , ca e i ain he e. Thi omb i good and ong all m a ga and ed a be
ea i ed igh , ha e igh , mo e abo like i ho ld. She co ld hold i le in he e. Lo d,
gi l, h didn o j ai ? Yo done ndone mon h of ca e. When he mo e he lef hand a
f ac ion o he ide and bea do n a bi ha de , a o he i e of a dime end off bla ing hea .
Be nice c ie o and en e he leg (Na lo 75-76).
Mama Da ' ea of e e ience a a mid ife allo he o na iga e Be nice e effec i el .
He e e ience al o allo he o ecogni e an ign of i eg la i and infec ion i hin he
e . Mama Da ha healing o e in he hand and he ha he abili o eg la e omen
c cle . Af e di co e ing Be nice omb, Mama Da ee ha he he bal concoc ion ha e
been hel ing Be nice and he omb a ong. When Mama Da mo e he hand o a d
Be nice o a ie , he di co e ha Be nice o a ie a e inflamed. U on he di co e , he
ad i e Amb h o call D . Smi hfield. Mama Da nde and he limi a ion of he e e i e a
a mid ife. A he ame ime, he al o nde and he healing o e of oo and he b .
17
Af e con ac ing D . Smi hfield, Mama Da goe o in o he ood i h Amb h knife o
e ie e ome choke-che ba k. Mama Da i kno ledgeable abo he effec of he ba k and
ca ef ll admini e i o Be nice.
She o Be nice in he a m and fi make he ck on a iece of e e min cand he
had Amb h b ing he . When Be nice ha o ked a good i Mi anda ake he cand f om
he . No , Be nice, I an o o hi he e iece of ba k in o mo h and che good. I m
a ning o ha i bi e , b no o gag. Kee mo ing i a o nd in he e, ca e if i a in
one o i gonna b n he lining of o mo h. When Be nice ha che ed fo a hile,
Mi anda make he i he ba k o in he and hen gi e he he e e min cand . Mi anda
oke he h oa o hel he ee j ice go do n, and hen make he che on he ba k again.
The kee doing hi ill i no hing b a l and he m cle in Be nice bod a o ela
i h he b ea h coming in a li le dee e (Na lo 82).
Ka ina Ha a d-Donald e lain ha "Like he old conj e kno n a am e , mo
mid i e e e killed he bali , kno ledgeable in bo h he iden ifica ion of and e of lan
and o he na al b ance " (137). Al ho gh Mama Da called D . Smi hfield, he kno ha i
i im o an o kee Be nice able n il he doc o a i e . To do o, Mama Da goe in o he
ood i h Amb h knife o ge "choke- che ba k." Mama Da kno ledge abo diffe en
lan and hei e allo he o iden if he lan and effec i el admini e i o Be nice, and
Be nice e en all fall a lee .
Af e D . Smi hfield a i e , Mama Da fill him in on he a of Be nice. Mama Da ell
him ha "Be nice go ome kinda boil on he female a ." She e lain o him ha he ga e
Be nice "a midge of choke-che ba k." Beca e D . Smi hfield i no familia i h he he b,
Mama Da e lain o him ha he ba k a ed o hel Be nice lee . Mama Da goe on o
18
info m he doc o ha Be nice doe no ha e li e damage beca e he checked he e e (Na lo
85). In T e A c ae g fM e g, La ie A. Wilkie e lain ha mid i e e e he
"doc o " in man Af ican Ame ican comm ni ie beca e of he lack of acce o heal hca e
and o ho i al . Wilkie al o di c e ha man mid i e o k hand in hand i h doc o
i hin Af ican Ame ican comm ni ie (37). Al ho gh Mama Da i no fo mall ained like D .
Smi hfield, D . Smi hfield ill e ec Mama Da e e i e on he ma e . The in e ac ion
be een D . Smi hfield and Mama Da ho ha he and Mama Da ha e a ela ion hi he e
he e i m al e ec . D . Smi hfield e en ea e Mama Da abo aking hi clien . D .
Smi hfield nde and he o e and ignificance of Mama Da . He e en ell Be nice ha he
ha Mama Da o hank fo he ong omb. Mama Da i no onl a ignifican fig e i hin
he comm ni , b he i al o a ell- e ec ed mid ife.
Af e Be nice' o e - he-co n e inciden , Mama Da lace he on a o ine o hel he b ild
he elf back bo h h icall and men all .
Tha mo ning Mi anda had aken a handf l of m kin eed and hook em in a bo le of
aff on a e , hen ano he handf l of c ook-neck a h and mi ed hem in o a li le de be
j ice. The e e la ing o d ing on Abigail back o ch in colo f l o of ello and black.
Mi anda coo em and hem in he ocke of he ea e . She go ome hing o kee
he b , and no he go ome hing o ho e fo . ...And he d kee Pea l off he back, gi ing he
hem eed and a ing, E e ime he come o i i o lan a black one o ca e e hing
nega i e he a o o in o he g o nd. And he co ld e en gi e he ho e, a ing, E e ime
o ge o mon hl , lan a gold one le he life blood flo o of o in o hi eed. And
come ing, he co ld ell Be nice, When o ake he ine f om hem gold eed o in o he
ga den, o e eall aking he life o nd and f ll he life ill e o be g o ing in ide of
19
o . Yeah, he co ld di g i e a li le do e of no hing b mo he - i i h a lo of hoc - oc "
(Na lo 96-97).
Mama Da nde and ha an idle mind i dange o . In kno ing hi , Mama Da c ea e a
o ine fo Be nice ha ill hel kee he b and no hinking abo he infe ili i e . Thi
o ine ill al o ac a a co ing mechani m fo dealing i h he e of Amb h mo he . In
he ing, af e he eed a e lan ed and he golden eed a e flo i hing, Mama Da ad i e
Be nice o look a he ine a e e en ing he connec ion i h he bab , and o look a he
go h of he lan a he g o h of a bab in ide he omb. Mama Da e lain o Abigail, he
i e , ha hi o of mo he - i and hoc - oc ill el hel Be nice o concei e and ill
hel kee he mind b and e -f ee. Mama Da nde anding of hi o of kno ledge i
con ide ed i an e am le of conj e femini m. Conj e femini m highligh he im o ance of
kno ledge od c ion ha i a ed do n in e gene a ionall be een Black omen and hei
fo emo he " (B ook , Ma in, Simmon ). In hi in ance, Mama Da e he kno ledge ha
he ha ac i ed in he ea of e e ience a a mid ife and i i ali and em lo i o o
hel Be nice o e come he infe ili i e.
In Lind e S e a ' di c ion of "Re i ance, Ref al, and Roo Wo k," S e a a , " oo
o k, o John de Con e , o e a e in e m of ec ec , h a oiding ecogni ion f om hi e .
Ra he han age a di ec a i h hi e , John de Con e hif he ba le o one i hin he
e o l of Black folk" (S e a 37). Like oo o k, Mama Da o e a e in " e m of
ec ec ." She i ca ef l no o e eal he ac ice a " he o he lace." Mama Da he Be nice
o foc on he ell-being a he han he inabili o concei e. She ge Be nice o foc on he
ga dening, hich hif Be nice' foc f om he e and need o ha e a bab o he men al and
h ical ellbeing. In doing o, Be nice lo e he ne o ick, and he comm ni
20
ackno ledge he no iceable change i hin Be nice. Like John de Con e , Mama Da
nde and he ignificance of he holene of one' o l and ho hi holene lead o
con en men .
Mama Da i in e ed in he comm ni ' ell-being. Ho e e , Mama Da ill go af e an one
ho h ea en he ell-being of he famil . Af e Mama Da find o ha R b did o Cocoa,
he de i e a lan o o R b ' henanigan .
Fi he o head no h. R b ee he coming he main oad and goe in ide and bol he
doo h . Yeah, n in ide and lock o doo , Mi anda hink , ha j he e I an o . She
and a he ga e and call he name A e o in he e, R b ? Well, ma be he don hea he .
She ll ge a li le clo e . She and a he foo of he o ch and call he name. A e o he e,
R b ? She g i he o of ha hicko ick a he gi e he one mo e chance. Lo d. A e o in
he e R b ? Well, h ee ime i all ha he e i ed...She don a ano he o d a b ing he
cane ho lde le el and lam i in o he lef ide of he ho e. The ood on ood o nd like
h nde . The il e o de i h o n in o he b he . She ike he ho e in he back. Po de .
She ike i on he lef . Po de . She b ing he cane o e he head and ike i o ha d again
he f on doo , he indo ane a le... She e amine i clo e o make e i ll ill hold he
eigh , and hen he n a o nd o head o h on he main oad. The doo don o en hen he
lea e , and he ind doe n i he ci cle of il e o de ...She on he a ea o ad
Che Pa ...We i he la di ec ion (269-271).
Y onne Chi ea e lain ha "Fo man black Ame ican , e na al ha ming ac ice ee
o ec i e. Conj e o ided indi id al i h he mean b hich o defend hem el e again
afflic ion ha e e bo h een and n een" (Chi ea 89). Mama Da n o ii o ka a
mean o o ec he famil f om f he a a l b R b . Mama Da c ea e a lan o ge id of
21
R b fo good. Mama Da goe o R b ho e fi , hich i loca ed no h. She call o h ee
ime b doe no ge an an e . Af e a d , Mama Da ake he hicko cane and lam i
again he ide hile h o ing do n il e o de . In doing o, Mama Da c ea e a
magne ic field a o nd R b home. Then, Mama Da head o h, ea , and he la di ec ion
a e a he "o he lace." La e ha nigh , a o m came h o gh Willo S ing , and
ligh ning ck R b ho e ice, and i e loded. Mama Da ili ed he kno ledge of
" e na al ha ming ac ice " o ge id of R b .
E en ho gh Mama Da id he elf of R b , he co ld no e ol e R b ' afflic ion on Cocoa.
E en ho gh he c he b aid ha R b in Cocoa' hai , he co ld no o he illne f om
eading. Mama Da kno he infec ion i ge ing o e, and he onl a o a e Cocoa' life
i h o gh Geo ge, Cocoa' fianc .
And no he e i ha bo . Mi anda look do n a he hand again. In all he ea he co ld
co n on half of he finge folk he d me i h a ill like hi . He belie e in him elf dee
i hin him elf -- ca e he ain ne e had a choice. And he kee i o ec ed do n in hi
cen e , b he need ha belief b ied in Geo ge. Of hi o n acco d he ha o hand i o e o
he . She need hi hand in he hi e hand o he can connec i i h all he belie ing
ha had gone befo e (Na lo 285).
Roo ok i ilege o ela ion hi iho ance o . I i o ela ion hi iho ance o
ha allo o o e come i a ion (S e a 107). Mama Da i ing o ge Geo ge o belie e
in he ac ice and belief of he ance o . I i he onl a o a e Cocoa' life. Ho e e ,
Mama Da i a a e ha i i going o be a challenge beca e of Geo ge ong ill. Mama Da
gi e Geo ge a choice o do hing he a o do hing hi a . In he end, Geo ge choo e o
22
do hing hi a , and i co him hi life, b he a e Cocoa' life. Geo ge' lack of fai h co
him hi life.
Af e he dea h of Geo ge, Mama Da goe on he Candle Walk. When Mama Da make i o
he b idge, he begin comm nica ing i h Geo ge.
One da he ll hea o , like o e hea ing me. And he e ll be ano he ime ha I on be
he e fo hen he ll lea n abo he beginning of he Da . B he go a go a a o come
back o ha kind of kno ledge. And I came o ell o no o o : ha e e oad ake he
f om he e, he ll al a lead he back o o (Na lo 308).
In he di c ion of conj e femini m, one of he fo ene i ha dea h i no an end, i i a
an i ion (B ook , Ma in, Simmon ). Mama Da doe no look a Geo ge dea h a an ending.
She con in e o comm nica e i h him, and he con in e he ela ion hi i h him. Mama Da
nde and he im o ance of comm nica ing i h he dead. She al o nde and he
im o ance of hono ing he dead. Mama Da i a medi m. She can comm nica e be een bo h
he i ible and in i ible o ld . A a i i ali , Mama Da nde and ha he kno ledge ha
Cocoa ill ac i e ill be e ealed hen he ime i igh . Mama kno ha Cocoa ill
e en all ake he lace a he ma ia ch of he Da Famil . She al o nde and and a e
Geo ge ha no ma e he e life ma ake Cocoa, he ill al a e n o him. Mama Da
make Geo ge an i ion ea ie and ea e hi conce n abo Cocoa. Mama Da g ide Geo ge
o he ii o ld.
Yea la e , Cocoa i i ing on he b idge, and he i alking o Geo ge abo he jo ne af e hi
dea h. Cocoa e lain o Geo ge ha he ha ema ied and ha he named he on af e him.
Cocoa al o ell Geo ge ha one da he on a ked abo him, and ho he called Mama Da ,
23
a king fo ome of hi ic e . Cocoa e lain ha Mama Da had mi laced hi ic e . Af e
ha , Cocoa ell Geoge abo he b eakdo n ha he had on he hone i h Mama Da .
Oh, I en on and on bi e ea . All he mo e o beca e he had been holding ele en ea
o come o . And hen I a h o gh, he oice a ie and gen le. Cocoa, if he child an
o kno ha Geo ge looked like, he ea ie hing o do i o ell him. And emembe , child en
need he im le h. So af e a hing m face and making m elf a c of min ea, I called m
on in ide. I him on m la and old him ha he a named af e a man ho looked j like
lo e (Na lo 310).
"Healing i o ible on man le el , e en be ond he h man o ld. S ch a ie of healing
indica e he en e of being in ela ion hi : i h h man, lan , animal, o i i life. Being in a
ela ion hi incl de na al elemen ch a a e and ecific animal . S i i of he decea ed
a e a of hi ela ional o ld and ano he lace he e healing ma be needed. Di ine being
a e in ima el a of hi co mo , abili o in e ac , o offe healing, o o be in a ela ion hi
ha need healing" (Mi chem 91). Al ho gh i ha been ea ince Geo ge dea h, Cocoa ill
deal i h he ain of lo ing Geo ge. D ing he hone con e a ion i h Mama Da , Cocoa a
able o ge he ain ha he had been holding on o fo ele en ea . Mama Da hel Cocoa
o eali e ha a lo a he han ha he lo . Tha momen fo Cocoa a ca ha ic. She a
able o elea e all he ain o ge o he jo . In hono ing he memo and connec ion i h Geo ge,
hen he i do n i h he on, Cocoa ell him ha Geo ge look "j like lo e." In doing o,
Cocoa hif he na a i e a ocia ed i h Geo ge f om o o (lo ) o jo (lo e). B ha ing
ha momen , Cocoa a able o econnec i h Geo ge, hich ha been healing fo he . B
ha ing a ela ion hi i h Geo ge, Cocoa can heal beca e he ee Geo ge dea h a a
24
an i ion a he han an ending. And ea la e , hile i ing on he b idge, Cocoa i able o
e e he feeling and comm nica e he e memo ie o Geo ge.
25
Concl ion
So he n Conj e Women a e he manife o of So he n Black jo . The e omen a e
em o e ed b hei ac ice of oo o k, hich allo hem o heal and em o e hem el e
and hei comm ni ie . Al o, h o gh hei conj ing ac ice , he a e able o c ea e ace fo
elf-ca e and elf-di co e . The e mode of hinking ha e of en been o e looked. Ho e e ,
conj e femini m make he e mode of kno ledge i ible. Conj e femini m alida e he
kno ledge ha Black omen ge f om hei g andmo he ' ki chen , ga den , and home .
Conj e femini m em ha i e he ignificance of he e ace and ho he a e ed a i i al
ool fo em o e men . Conj e femini m gi e a oice o Black omen' li ed e e ience . I
ili e conj e femini m o f ll nde and ho he conj e oman i and he ole in ocie .
F om m nde anding, he conj e oman i a oman ho ili e he kno ledge of oo
o k and o conj e a a mean of em o e men . I e hi defini ion a a g ide o nco e he
cha ac e i ic of a So he n Conj e oman i hin he li e a con e . I define he a che e of
he So he n Conj e oman a a oman in o f om he So h ho ili e conj e and oo
o k a a mean of em o e men .
To f he nde and hi a che e, I n o N o ake Shange' Sa af a C e & I dg
and Glo ia Na lo ' Ma a Da . Wi hin he e e , I di c he li e of he e omen and ho
he ili e oo o k, ii o k, ance o memo , and conj e a a mean of em o e men .
In he cha e "Whe e he e i a oman, he e i magic," I di c he li e of Sa af a ,
C e , and Indigo. Indigo, he o nge , ha a diffe en e ec i e on life. Indigo' doll e e
a he cond i o he ii o ld. Th o gh he doll , Indigo i able o face life' change . Indigo
al o ha a ong connec ion o he moon, he e he kee i al and emedie o hel he deal
i h life' challenge . Af e Indigo e e ience be , he i fo ced o he doll a a .
26
Ho e e , hi doe no de e Indigo f om kee ing he in ima e ela ion hi i h S i i . Af e
lo ing he doll , Indigo n o he iolin a a mean of connec ing i h S i i . Th o gh he
iolin, Indigo i able o connec i h eo le in a mo e ofo nd a . Ho e e , Indigo' bigge
foc , ho e e , a lea ning he a of A n Ha dee, ho a a mid ife. E en all , Indigo
find he calling in mid ife , and he deli e Sa af a ' bab hen he e n home.
Sa af a , he olde , doe no an o li e he life in he mo he ' hado , o he head o Lo
Angele o edi co e he elf. On he e o edi co e , Sa af a come in o con ac ih
Mi ch, an al o a i . Sa af a ' ela ion hi i h Mi ch i no hing mo e han a di ac ion.
Mi ch i kee ing Sa af a f om eaching he f ll o en ial. Ho e e , Sa af a doe no
nde and ha beca e he i blinded b he lo e fo him. None hele , a ime goe on,
Sa af a begin o ee ha he ela ion hi i h Mi ch i co ing he mo e han i i o h.
Sa af a and Mi ch mo e o Ba on Ro ge and join "The Ne Wo ld Fo nd Collec i e," and
Sa af a ge ini ia ed in o San e ia. Mi ch i o ic o he and fo he , and he elde a n he
ha he ela ion hi i h Mi ch ill ca e he o fall f om g ace. U on falling f om g ace,
Sa af a goe h o gh he oce of a onemen , and he lea e Ba on Ro ge and head back o
Cha le on i h he nbo n child. Sa af a came o he eali a ion ha e e hing he a
ea ching fo a al ead in ide he . C e , he middle i e , i a dance ho de i e o one
da be a a of a Ne Yo k dance com an . C e ' d eam ake he o San F anci co, he e
he e fo m i h an nde g o nd dance hea e . C e ' alen ook he all he a o Ne
Yo k. Ho e e , he e e ience in Ne Yo k i no ha he ba gained fo . While in Ne Yo k,
C e onde endle l be een ela ion hi and dance dio . E en all , C e find a
familia face, Le o , ho gi e he he abili ha he need o foc and achie e he d eam. In
he end, C e di co e ha he o e i mo e han he alen fo dance. She find ha he
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oei o ili e he alen a a mean fo change, and he head back o Cha le on i h he
"Soil & So l ," a dance com an dedica ed o he ca e of ci il igh . Each of he e omen
ili ed ome fo m of i i al o k o hel hem di co e hei o e, and he all ili ed he
o e a a mean fo em o e men and jo . In he cha e "A T e Conj e Woman," I di c
Mama Da and ho he ili e he kno ledge and e e i e in oo o k o heal and em o e
eo le in he comm ni . Mama Da i a ignifican fig e i hin Willo S ing . She, like he
g ea -g andmo he , Sa hi a Wade, i al o a e e ed conj e oman. Mama Da con in e he
ac ice of he ance o . Mama Da , a a mid ife and i i al o ke , h o gho he o
can be een hel ing c e ailmen , e fo ming i al , and b eaking c e . She al o hono he
ance o b main aining con ac i h hem h o gh he connec ion o he o he lace and
ending o hei g a e . Mama Da hono he famil ' legac b eaching and ho ing Cocoa
hei famil ' hi o and i i al ac ice . In n, Cocoa i able o con in e hei famil
legac . In he e cha e , I e he e e o ho ho each of he e omen ili e oo ok
a a mean o em o e , heal, b ing abo jo . I al o ill a e ho each of he e omen can be
een a So he n Conj e omen.
To di c he heo e ical f ame o k of m a g men , I make e of he o k of Black omen,
ho di c he im o ance and ignificance of oo o k, conj e, i i al o k, and healing.
The e o k ga e me he e ec i e ha I needed o b idge m anal i i h Lind e S e a '
T e P c f B ac J . I i m ho e ha h o gh hi anal i , eade nde and he
ignificance of So he n conj e omen and he oli ic of Black Jo . Al o, I an ed o
highligh he ignificance of he So he n Conj e oman. The So he n Conj e Woman
challenge o mode of hinking. She i able o ili e he kno ledge and i dom of he
ance o a a mean of libe a ion. Thi e of libe a ion ha benefi ed no onl he Black
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comm ni b al o ocie a a hole. The e ac ice ha e been a ed do n h o gh Black
familie fo gene a ion . A a Black So he n oman, I an ed o di c he mode of hinking
ha I' e lea ned f om m g andmo he . The e omen al ho gh, hei ed ca ion a limi ed
e e able o each me hing ha en be ond he academ . In d ing he So he n Conj e
oman, I an ed o ho m a ecia ion fo he omen ho came befo e me and did no ge a
chance o go in o academ o o be ecogni ed fo he al e ha he ha e added o ocie . I i
im o an o hono he e omen beca e hei kno ledge and i dom ha e been ili ed b
man , e he do no ge he ecogni ion ha he de e e. I belie e ha he kno ledge ha
he e omen hold a e he ke o nlocking highe fo m of kno ledge. I i m ho e ha hi
a e add o he nde anding of So he n conj e omen and So he n Black jo .
29
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