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Black America Web
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
The History of Mojo Bags: ‘Sinners' Spiritual Exploration Inspires Fans Awakening
Source: Anadolu / Getty Ryan Coogler's latest film, Sinners , delves deep into the spiritual traditions of the African American South, bringing to light the rich history and significance of mojo bags within Hoodoo practices. Social media users are going crazy for this new spiritual enlightenment. Read more and check out these viral videos exploring mojo bags inside. Set in 1930s Mississippi, Sinners intertwines elements of horror, history, and spirituality to explore themes of survival, faith, and cultural heritage. One of the most impactful scenes that has inspired fans spiritual journeys is the moment when Annie asks if Smoke still had his 'mojo bag.' Annie's faith and love for Elijah was so powerful that she poured everything she had into his mojo bag when they first met 20 years ago, protecting him on his journey. Mojo bags, also known as gris-gris or conjure bags, are small pouches filled with a combination of herbs, roots, minerals, and personal items, believed to hold spiritual power. Originating from West and Central African traditions, these bags were brought to the United States by enslaved Africans and became integral to Hoodoo practices. They served various purposes, from protection and healing to attracting love or prosperity. In Sinners , the character Smoke, portrayed by Michael B. Jordan, carries a mojo bag given to him by his lover Annie, a Hoodoo practitioner, symbolizing his connection to ancestral wisdom and spiritual protection . The film's portrayal of mojo bags has resonated with audiences, sparking discussions on social media about their historical and cultural significance. One Instagram post describes the film itself as a 'modern-day mojo bag,' suggesting that Sinners serves as a vessel for spiritual enlightenment and cultural preservation. This metaphor highlights the film's role in educating viewers about the depth and resilience of African American spiritual practices. Coogler's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to authenticity are evident throughout the film. He collaborated with scholars like Yvonne Chireau, an expert in African American religious history, to ensure accurate representation of Hoodoo traditions. The film's narrative, combined with its evocative visuals and haunting soundtrack, immerses viewers in a world where the spiritual and physical realms intertwine. Sinners not only entertains but also educates, offering an exploration of a rich cultural heritage often overlooked in mainstream media. By highlighting the significance of mojo bags and Hoodoo practices, the film invites audiences to reflect on the enduring power of ancestral traditions and the importance of preserving them for future generations. As Sinners continues to captivate audiences, it stands as a testament to the resilience and depth of African American spirituality, reminding viewers of the profound connections between past and present, tradition and innovation. Check out some of the mojo bag moments taking over social media below: The History of Mojo Bags: 'Sinners' Spiritual Exploration Inspires Fans Awakening was originally published on 3. Spoiler Alert: Ending Explained Source:YouTube Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Black America Web
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Annie Steals The Spotlight And Holds Our Deepest Infatuation In ‘Sinners'
Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE Source: / In Sinners , filmmaker Ryan Coogler and actress Wunmi Mosaku push back against the stereotypes Black women have endured within and outside of our community for centuries. Set in Mississippi in 1932, the southern horror gothic follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack Moore (both portrayed by Michael B. Jordan). The World War I veterans return home after a seven-year hiatus and a run with Chicago's most notorious gangster, Al Capone. Though the brothers blow into town intent on setting up a juke joint and carving out a legitimate business, the past, the universe, and fate command something different. As much as the narrative centers on identity, redemption, and dualities, Sinners is also about love. Annie (beautifully portrayed by Mosaku), a Hoodoo conjurer, spiritual leader, and healer, is at the center of this tale. The audience hears Annie before we ever see her face. Opening the film, she speaks of the musicians who can conjure spirits of the past and future. She also offers a warning—these magical souls can inadvertently attract evil. From the moment she is introduced, it's clear she is a woman to be admired, trusted, and respected. For Elijah 'Smoke' Moore, she is also a sanctuary. When Annie is finally revealed in all of her stunning glory, viewers find her standing in front of her modest house, surrounded by swaying trees, love, and anguish. The grave of the baby girl she and Smoke buried years before rests outside of her home, and inside, she's surrounded by medicines, amulets and herbs. Barefoot children float in and out, paying for her services in faux cash, which she happily accepts. Annie is a balm for Smoke, who is more stoic and discerning than his impulsive brother. The electric chemistry between the estranged couple crackles as he enters her home. Sitting on a stool, he rests (perhaps for the first time in seven years). In Annie's presence, Smoke's sense of relief is palpable. Her covering (in the form of a mojo bag) remains tied safely around his neck. He's returned to her scarred but fully loved and completely whole. Annie and Smoke's lengthy reunion (Mosaku recalls it was a 7-page scene) is bursting with desire, eroticism, longing, wistfulness, pain, and the tender whispers of devotion. Since the origins of cinema, Black women have been shoved into boxes. Deeply melanated women with plush, curvy bodies and regal features became sexless mammies. These tropes have anchored the lie of white supremacy and even fester in the Black community itself. We are all impacted by colorism, fatphobia, and misogynoir, which continually perpetuates in present-day culture wars where Black women and men are pitted against one another. Through Coogler's script, which is grandly depicted in glittering 65mm and IMAX film, we see a beautiful, moisturized, intelligent, enticing woman who desires and is desired. Smoke and Annie are lustful but boast a deep reverence for one another. Without crass nudity, the audience sees her being chosen, worshiped and heard. [SPOILERS AHEAD] Source: Gianna Snapped / for HelloBeautiful Later in Sinners , Annie's bravery and deep wealth of spiritual knowledge keep those who survive the night alive. Though gutted by his brother Stack's transformation into a vampire, Smoke does not question her guidance. When the vampiric Stack snuffs out Annie's life as she screams, 'Not you!' Smoke honors his promise to her. Though it destroys him, he releases her soul and eventually, only after enacting his revenge, lays down his burdens to reconnect with her and their infant daughter in the afterlife. In Annie's final scene, she's depicted in a balmy dream-like sequence, clothed in white and nursing a baby at her breast. This is the image Smoke sees as he crosses into the afterlife, leaving his twin in the ruthless world, choosing otherworldly freedom with the woman who has always known his soul. Black women's bodies, sexualities and experiences are continually subjected to scrutiny and propaganda. Yet, with Annie standing at the center of Sinners, we are all reminded that Black women, especially dark skin, full-figured Black women, are and have always been every single thing. Let Mosaku's Annie, be only the beginning of these kinds of depictions. SEE ALSO Annie Steals The Spotlight And Holds Our Deepest Infatuation In 'Sinners' was originally published on
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ryan Coogler film 'Sinners' explores Black Americans' complex ties to the Church
Ryan Coogler's new horror movie, "Sinners" focuses on a variety of issues including ethnicity, Southern culture, and the importance of protecting your art. But, one of the most interesting topics the movie highlights is oppression and colonization through a lens of religion. When Coogler first announced his fifth feature film, I was ecstatic. As someone who loves the horror genre and specifically Southern gothic horror, as my favorite Ayo Edebiri quote says, 'I'm seated. The theater employees are scared and asking me to leave but I'm simply too seated.' I was already excited to see a vampire movie focusing on Black characters in the South, but what shocked me was the subplot of the complicated relationship between African Americans and Christianity. Growing up in a Baptist community in New York City, Sunday school, choir practices and lengthy Sunday services were a part of my regular routine. While I enjoyed it thoroughly as a child, as I got older, it felt more like a chore. As I started my journey into history and specifically my ancestor's journey in the United States, I was confused on why my family was content with practicing a religion that was forced on us. As Delroy Lindo's character 'Delta Slim' says in "Sinners," 'Blues wasn't forced on us like that religion, we brought this from home'. While many enslaved populations attempted to bring their beliefs and ancestral practices with them, upon arriving in the U.S, Christianity was forced upon them. Religion and specifically Christianity was used as a means of control. Various slave owners even justified their actions with biblical passages from the Old Testament. A 2019 museum exhibit at Harvard University highlighted how Christianity in the 1800s was used in this manner. One of the examples, a book published in 1843 titled 'Slavery, as it Relates to the Negro, or African Race," by Josiah Priest defended slavery while using narratives from the Book of Genesis. Those who participated in their ancestral practices were often severely punished. In turn, these religions were practiced in secret and are often referred to as 'closed practices'. As I got older, these ancestral religious practices captivated me because it was a connection to those whose names I would never get the chance to know. In the film, we see how one of the main character's uses her ancestral tradition of Hoodoo to not only serve her community, but in turn, save the lives of many. Hoodoo, the closed ancestral practice which was brought by enslaved populations to the South, often gets a bad rep. Many refer to it as 'demonic' or 'devil's magic.' What I greatly appreciated about this film was that it showed Hoodoo for exactly what it is, a religious practice that helps those connect with their ancestral lineage. When we first meet Annie, played by Wunmi Mosaku, she is giving herbs and explaining how although she gets paid very minimally, if at all, it's more important for her to keep others safe through her practices. While we see her get called a 'witch', many of the characters ultimately respect her and look to her as a guide. As the movie continues, other characters such as Sammie 'Preacher Boy' Moore, the son of the local preacher, deal with his father wanting him to focus solely on church and leave 'that devil music alone.' The genre of Blues, which was created in the Mississippi Delta was a combination of spirituals, work songs, and chants created by the formerly enslaved. Due to a variety of myths concerning artists such as Robert Johnson who is said to have 'sold his soul to the devil', preachers often classified it as 'devil music.' One of the key moments of this movie is when Sammie is confronted by the vampire antagonist, 'Remmick." In a moment of fear, Sammie begins to quote 'The Lord's Prayer.' To his surprise, Remmick begins to quote it with him. The Irish vampire then explains, 'when those men took my father's land, they forced those words onto us too, but they still bring me comfort.' History often shows many examples of Christianity being forced on communities such as enslaved Africans and American Indigenous communities, we often forget how the religion was forced on other European communities. As a result of these themes of Christianization, many who chose to watch the movie on its opening Easter weekend were confused and annoyed by the theme. Grammy-award winning artist Lecrae posted on threads that he believed the film promoted 'anti-Christian propaganda.' He continued to say, 'In this movie, Christianity is either irrelevant or oppressive, and power is found in African spiritual practices. Hoodoo, not the Holy Spirit, is the weapon of choice… He's fighting evil with evil in the movie, and unfortunately Christianity takes the L for the sake of cultural empowerment.' In 2020, a phenomenon started to occur where many millennials and Gen-Z started to leave western religions and sought out ancestral practices. Myself included, I was interested in connecting with a practice that wasn't forced on my ancestors, but instead one they created. Although some still view practices such as Hoodoo as demonic, this film confronts the viewers and makes them get to the root of why they believe that. Hoodoo is a mystery to many, because it had to be. Although many attempted to destroy it, somehow, it persevered. As one of my favorite sayings goes, ' We don't worship dead people. We pay homage to our ancestors and understand they live within our DNA. They are the closest thing we have to the spiritual realm.' Gabrielle Chenault covers Williamson County for The Tennessean. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in political science from Hampton University and a master's degree in race/social justice reporting from the University of Southern California. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 'Sinners' film explores Black Americans' faith practices | Opinion
Indianapolis Star
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
'That ain't no haint': 'Sinners' movie references evil spirit. But what is it exactly?
Turns out "Sinners" is more than just about vampires. Viewers have some thoughts about Ryan Coogler's subtle reference to another supernatural entity in the film, released April 18. While a select few might have had an inkling about what Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), a Hoodoo practitioner and herbalist, meant by "haint," others were completely in the dark. One viewer even thought Annie uttered the word "Hank" as she tried to determine the cause of Stack's (Michael B. Jordan) and Mary's (Hailee Steinfeld) death-defying transformation. Annie determines, through context clues, that her friends have turned into vampires, not haints like she previously hypothesized. Though haints are not the focus of "Sinners," the spectral beings are deeply rooted in Southern folklore, not unlike the film, set in Mississippi in the 1930s. Here's what to know about haints, including a compilation of viewers' genuine reactions to Coogler's subtle reference. What is a haint? A haint, for those unfamiliar with African spiritual traditions, refers to "evil spirits who escaped their human forms at night to paralyze, injure, ride (the way a person might ride a horse), or even kill innocent victims," Atlas Obscura reported in January 2020. Though haints are only mentioned by name once in "Sinners," some viewers noticed the way Coogler wove in the use of "haint blue" a shade of blue used by enslaved Africans and later by the Gullah Geechee to combat haints and "boo hags," in Annie's home and wardrobe throughout the film. "She's hoodoo, she's voodoo. She's of African diasporic tradition,' Ruth E. Cater, the film's costume designer, told lifestyle publication 21Ninety. 'She's every part of where our origin story led us in terms of our religious practices.' Haint blue was believed to trick haints into believing they had stumbled into water, which they were unable to cross or the sky, which led them farther away from their victims, according to Atlas Obscura. The color was first derived from the dye produced on indigo plantations across the South Carolina coast, Atlas Obscura reported. Some painted their homes in haint blue, while others hung blue glass bottles in trees to trap the evil spirit or spirits lurking in the shadows, according to Atlas Obscura. Not all Gullah Geechee, however, identify with the color's use. While the practice of using haint blue to ward off evil spirits might not be as common, the color has bled into the mainstream, with major paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries, Inc selling paint inspired by the shade. Viewers go on 'deep dive' after haint reference in 'Sinners' While some viewers knew what a haint was before they saw the film, others were intrigued enough by the reference that they proceeded to do some research on the evil spirt and for some, its connection to vampires. Those who were able to make sense of the reference in the moment remembered when they first heard about haints from relatives and the significance of "haint blue" in the film. Either way, those who heard the subtle reference were impressed by Coogler's attention to detail. Below you will find a compilation of posts that encapsulates the conversation surrounding haints in "Sinners."
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'That ain't no haint': 'Sinners' movie references evil spirit. But what is it exactly?
'That ain't no haint': 'Sinners' movie references evil spirit. But what is it exactly? Show Caption Hide Caption 'Sinners': A vampire wants to crash Michael B. Jordan's party Cornbread (Omar Miller) isn't acting like his old self when trying to re-enter the party in Ryan Coogler's period horror movie "Sinners." Turns out "Sinners" is more than just about vampires. Viewers have some thoughts about Ryan Coogler's subtle reference to another supernatural entity in the film, released April 18. While a select few might have had an inkling about what Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), a Hoodoo practitioner and herbalist, meant by "haint," others were completely in the dark. One viewer even thought Annie uttered the word "Hank" as she tried to determine the cause of Stack's (Michael B. Jordan) and Mary's (Hailee Steinfeld) death-defying transformation. Annie determines, through context clues, that her friends have turned into vampires, not haints like she previously hypothesized. Though haints are not the focus of "Sinners," the spectral beings are deeply rooted in Southern folklore, not unlike the film, set in Mississippi in the 1930s. Here's what to know about haints, including a compilation of viewers' genuine reactions to Coogler's subtle reference. 'Sinners' movie: Don't let them in! What to know about the vampire invitation featured in 'Sinners' What is a haint? A haint, for those unfamiliar with African spiritual traditions, refers to "evil spirits who escaped their human forms at night to paralyze, injure, ride (the way a person might ride a horse), or even kill innocent victims," Atlas Obscura reported in January 2020. Though haints are only mentioned by name once in "Sinners," some viewers noticed the way Coogler wove in the use of "haint blue" a shade of blue used by enslaved Africans and later by the Gullah Geechee to combat haints and "boo hags," in Annie's home and wardrobe throughout the film. "She's hoodoo, she's voodoo. She's of African diasporic tradition,' Ruth E. Cater, the film's costume designer, told lifestyle publication 21Ninety. 'She's every part of where our origin story led us in terms of our religious practices.' Haint blue was believed to trick haints into believing they had stumbled into water, which they were unable to cross or the sky, which led them farther away from their victims, according to Atlas Obscura. The color was first derived from the dye produced on indigo plantations across the South Carolina coast, Atlas Obscura reported. Some painted their homes in haint blue, while others hung blue glass bottles in trees to trap the evil spirit or spirits lurking in the shadows, according to Atlas Obscura. Not all Gullah Geechee, however, identify with the color's use. While the practice of using haint blue to ward off evil spirits might not be as common, the color has bled into the mainstream, with major paint companies like Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries, Inc selling paint inspired by the shade. Viewers go on 'deep dive' after haint reference in 'Sinners' While some viewers knew what a haint was before they saw the film, others were intrigued enough by the reference that they proceeded to do some research on the evil spirt and for some, its connection to vampires. Those who were able to make sense of the reference in the moment remembered when they first heard about haints from relatives and the significance of "haint blue" in the film. Either way, those who heard the subtle reference were impressed by Coogler's attention to detail. Below you will find a compilation of posts that encapsulates the conversation surrounding haints in "Sinners."
