Juju Web Series on YouTube: These Witches Ain't From Salem, Honey
New YouTube web series, Juju: Web Series explores Yoruba traditions that many of our ancestors were forbidden to pass down to us.
When we think of witches in media, we usually think about Salem witch trials, Sabrina, and The Craft. Black witches in television and film are usually sidekicks, supporting roles, the best friend, over-the-top voodoo priestesses from New Orleans, or a Miss Cleo exaggerated psychic or clairvoyant. Representation of Black witches in modern film and television has improved, though, but we still have a ways to go.
Prudence Blackwood, portrayed brilliantly by Tati Gabrielle, from Netflix’s The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. And Rochelle, also brilliantly played by Rachel True in The Craft. are the best representations. Oh! I cannot leave out the badass Bennett witches of Mystic Falls, Bonnie and Grams Bennett from The Vampire Diaries.
That improvement in representation continues with Juju Web Series on Youtube. Juju’s creator, Jhé "Moon" Ferguson said, “I wanted to see a world of Black supernaturals, so I created one.” Many Black witches have been waiting to be represented as more than just a sidekick to a White antagonist’s story. We have stories and histories that need to be explored and told by us. And that’s exactly what Ferguson did.
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Still from Sufi Woman reimagined
Juju: Web Series takes place in New York City and centers on the lives of three young women, Ally, Yaya, and Gigi who have Afro Caribbean and Bayou roots. Through a stranger sent to guide them, the friends learn that they are descended from powerful witches.
The series, described as “Charmed meets Insecure” follows the best friends as they navigate all the nuances of relatable adulting on top of learning how to hone their powers. Like the women of Insecure, Ally, Yaya, and Gigi have strongly different personalities that end up complimenting each other. From Black culture, ancestral magic, mysticism and a dope ass soundtrack, we get to explore Blackness in magic as more than a side story to someone else’s story.
The Witches
Ally: Ally, played by Cydni Jenkins is a stressed out workaholic who wants to advance her career, but is afraid to ask for the promotion she deserves due to past bad experiences. She’s Afro-Cuban and descends from practitioners of Santeria.
Yaya: Yaya, played by Cassandra Borgella, is an empath who owns an herbalist shop. Her ancestors are the Obeah women from the mountains of Jamaica. She’s a natural healer and, as such, is the backbone of the three besties.
Gigi: Gigi, played by Nedge Victome, is a no-nonsense, free spirit. She’s fun, lives life to the fullest, but will put you in your place if you step out of line. She comes from a long line of priestesses from Haiti and the Louisiana Bayou.
To bring this mystical world to life while creating relatable characters, Ferguson wanted a predominantly Black cast and crew. And they do a decent job. Everyone looks amazing. And Ferguson sprinkles subtle symbolism throughout. Example: When Gigi presents Ally and Yaya three cupcake edibles, they are the colors of three Orisha’s: Blue = Yemaya, Yellow/Gold = Oshun, and Red/Burgundy = Oyah.
Testing
My only concern, so far, is the lighting—it’s too dark and, at times, I can barely see faces. Other than that, this is something we’ve been waiting for. Though I’m not a witch, I’ve always been drawn to learning about the occult, learning more about my ancestors, and the religion they practiced. This also isn’t a put-down of witch shows like Charmed and Sabrina, which I absolutely loved then and still. But I cannot fully express just how much it means to me to be able to see a witch series about witches who look like me and share my culture and my ancestors.
As I write this, there are only two completed episodes of the brand new series and the third episode, hopefully to be released Wednesday, November 28. Watch the first two episodes below or on their YouTube channel and subscribe to see more!
Tell us what you think about the series so far.
