What does the word 'mojo' mean?
Question
Mojo – what is it? Where does the word “mojo” come from and what does it mean?
Mel, Enfield
Answer
** Definitive **
Name: Hazel, Edmonton
Qualification: Massive blues fan
Answer: It’s a leather pouch which contained lucky charms and talismans. It was originally carried around the neck by African slaves. When those slaves went over to America and got into the Blues scene, the word ‘mojo’ was often used. If you felt someone had a grudge against you, you went to a witch doctor, who would give you a talisman to protect you.
Name: Neil, Swiss Cottage
Qualification: I read it somewhere – but can’t remember where.
Answer: I understand it comes from Jim Morrison. Mr Mojo Rising is an anagram of Jim Morrison and he wrote a song about it.
Name: Billy, Essex
Qualification: My record collection!
Answer: I’ve got a vinyl record here from Blind Lemon Jefferson recorded in 1928 called Lowdown Mojo Blues, so that pre-dates Jim Morrison. I believe a mojo is a good-luck charm, such as a crocodile tooth, with its origins in voodoo.