Mojo

My daughter asked me yesterday, "Dad, what's mojo mean?" I told her to ask her mother, but her mother didn't know. When the daughter said this, I nearly fell off the couch. I explained to the daughter that Mojo is an Americanization of the Akan idea of Moja, usually spelled Modwa, which is the literal word for blood. The idea of modwa is that each individual has a unique spiritual dimension that is received through the blood of his mother at birth. This is in keeping with the matrilineal succession idea- the idea that divine right and "personhood" comes from the mother. Akan people, indeed most West Africans, venerate their mothers. So, when in American blues music you hear the phrase, "I got my mojo workin'", it refers to fully being the person fate has destined you to be, and through this harmony with the universe achieving great things. By the time I got halfway through this explanation my daughter was far away dressing a doll or banging the scooter into the garage wall, and I could hear my wife rolling her eyes (it's a skill that comes after years and years of marriage). If you've read this entire post then you are so patient.