Congregation of alligators sunbathing on a marshy bed of grass. Image via Everglades National Park. Everglades, Florida.
Uncle Monday
Uncle Monday is a deity in the Jomo Pantheon regarded as a shapeshifter, trickster, rootworker, and conjuror. His tales have origins in Florida. However, they’ve spread throughout the Gulf Coast and Lowcountry. Including to Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina.
Uncle Monday was born on the continent of Africa. There he was initiated into a lineage of priests that were knowledgeable in caiman (semi-aquatic reptiles) conjure and regarded as siblings to crocodiles.
As many spiritualists were seen as a political threats to leaders, he was eventually captured and sent to South Carolina. It is said that he used his knowledge to shape-shift and escape to Florida. Where he established relationships with the Seminole people and exchanged knowledge of herbs, roots, and of caiman rituals. It was during one of these rituals where Uncle Monday gained the ability to shapeshift into an alligator. This ability he used to resist recapture when he participated in the Seminole Revolt.
At some point, Uncle Monday arrived in Eatonville, Florida. He was said to have walked right out of Lake Maitland. He settled and established himself in the small town as a rootworker and conjuror.
The use of caiman parts continues to be used in Florida Jomo and many other regional branches of Hoodoo to this day. Caiman claws, teeth, heads, and feet are used in conjure for a variety of reasons. Including as offerings and for protection. As well, to facilitate the arrival of good fortune, healing, fertility, and to enhance one’s spiritual abilities.
Sources:
Digital Media Department. 2006. Uncle Monday. University of Central Florida.
Hurston, Z. 1995. The Complete Stories. HarperCollins.
Congdon, K. 2002. Uncle Monday and Other Florida Folk Tales. University Press of Mississippi.
