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Using For Sympathy: The Powwow and Hexerei approach to magical healing and spirituality
Saturday May 10, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT
St. Ann's Cottage #2
This presentation examines the inter-connected history of the magical practices employed by the American "Powwow doctor” or “Hex." This un-licensed counselor, spiritual advisor and community healer was and remains a powerful figure in certain areas of the rural United States. The practice of Braucherei or Powwowing, known in the America as “Using for Sympathy” or simply “using,” was brought from Europe and nurtured by people of Germanic origin who migrated from Switzerland, Germany and later from New England, Maryland, Pennsylvania and settled in rural areas of North and South Carolina and Georgia. Various magical procedures and incantations will be examined along with their relations with more conventional religious traditions. Famous Carolina and Pennsylvania Powwow doctors will be profiled, and excerpts from field transcripts will be presented to provide evidence and context to this unique and enduring folk magical/religious heritage.
Speakers
avatar for Jack Montgomery

Jack Montgomery

Professor, Coordinator, Acquisitions and Collection Services, Western Kentucky University Libraries
Jack G. Montgomery: Biography Jack was born in 1953 in Columbia, South Carolina. His family though Christian, practiced elements of folk religions which he later came to learn stemmed from his maternal great-grandfather who was a Powwow Doctor who specialized in healing animals through... Read More →
Saturday May 10, 2025 10:45am - 12:00pm CDT
St. Ann's Cottage #2 717 Orleans St. Bourbon Orleans Hotel
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