What is a Boo-Hag and How It Relates to Charleston?

It’s no secret that Charleston, South Carolina is a city full of Southern charm and delightful surprises around every corner. But have you ever heard of a Boo-Hag and its place in Charleston culture? Recent interest in these mythical creatures has grown with the resurgence in local tales and legends. In this article, we’ll explore what defines a Boo-Hag, how the mythical creature fits into Charleston’s history, and the surprises the city holds for those looking for the most unique and enchanting experiences available.

What is a Boo-Hag?

A Boo-Hag is a creature from Carolina Gullah stories and folktales, also known as Lowcountry ghosts or spectral beings. The term “Boo-Hag” originates from the West African language Gullah Geechee, and relates to a type of supernatural being similar to what we know today as a vampire or a witch. According to the tales, these creatures come alive at night while people sleep and take the form of an old woman. Speaking to Myelarose Bankhead, an Exuma Island Gullah storyteller in Nassau, she explains that Boo-Hags use their power of disguise to present themselves as different people to humans.

The stories originate from the Gullah Geechee culture in the Lowcountry, which was once home to enslaved people from West Africa, mainly from the Congo and Cameroon regions. Many rituals and customs were retained in this area through centuries, passed down from generations of West African ancestry.

Boo-Hags are also prominent in African American folklore, particularly throughout the U.S. South. These tales often center around love spells, shape-shifting powers, and shape-shifting into other animals, alluding an almost witch-like power of these mysterious creatures.

Throughout time and across different cultures, Boo-Hags have been associated with spiritual power and many references have been made to these spectral beings who have secret magical powers which they can use to do mischief or harm to humans.

Boo-Hag Experiences In Charleston

In Charleston, Boo-Hag mythology still permeates the city’s culture, especially due to its strong history as a port city. Because it was once a part of the great Cotton Kingdom and contained a thriving port for traders and sailors who brought tales from all over the world, Charleston became a hub for Gullah tradition and mysticism.

The rich culture leads to many special experiences for tourists looking for unique activities in Charleston. GetYourGuide offers one of these experiences; the Charleston Boo-Hag and Brews Haunted Bar Hop tour. This tour guides explores some of the city’s most haunted bars, pubs, and breweries where visitors can explore the mysterious unknown lurking in Charleston’s dark past.

The tour starts at Magnolia’s where visitors can get a brief overview of the Gullah history and its place in Charleston culture before journeying off to some of the city’s oldest brewing establishments. With live music, along with some tales of ghosts, witches and graveyards, guests will get a chance to witness a wide range of African mythology that has been passed down through generations. Once everyone has experienced true Southern hospitality (and perhaps even a haunting!), the tour will come to an end with dinner at one of the city’s best Southern eateries.

The Significance of Boo Hags For Charleston

While currently popular low-key legend from West Africa, the significance of Boo-Hags is not lost on Charleston locals or history buffs – especially with tales linking them back to West African enslaved workers in generations past. Many locals are very familiar with Gullah Geechee heritage, which continues to manifest itself in everyday life throughout Charleston.

Today, tourists visiting the south find it fascinating to get glimpses of this culture through events like Boo-Hag tours. The tours provide an opportunity for people to learn about Charleston’s history on a deeper level, as well as honor the legacy of those who were enslaved there at one time. Tampa Bay Times writes that “The Boo-Hag’s often sinister nature reflects the oppression faced by Africans forcibly brought over by Europeans between 1600 and 1800”.

Apart from its historical context, the folklore of Boo-Hags is an important part of keeping this culture alive throughout Charleston today. Cultural anthropologists are fascinated by these tales and the cultural implications they carry on across generations today. It is very likely that these stories will be passed down through many more years yet!

Conclusion

The Boo-Hag is a powerful symbol in Charleston’s rich culture and mythology. Allured by secrets from a world we may never truly be able to understand, visitors explore its many mysteries through tours such as Boo-Hag and Brews Haunted Bar Hop Tour. Whether you turn out for an enchanting experience or simply out of curiosity, it’s worth experiencing one of these spooky fortnights – if only for an hour or two – if you find yourself in Charleston! Make sure you book soon though – tickets fill up quickly!
For an exciting boo-hag experience in Charleston visit GetYourGuide’s Charleston Boo-Hag and Brews Haunted Bar Hop which is sure to give you chills!