Baron Samedi

Baron Samedi. Willliam Boroughs, Robert Johnson, Delta Blues and Voodoo Gumb Many have dubbed Robert Johnson the father of modern rock and roll. Of all early bluesmen, Johnson can be considered one of the most prolific. Although he did not live long enough to become as popular as many of the other earlier blues artists, his music has influenced a number of musicians who dramatically changed music history. In southern communities it was a well-known notion that one could go to the crossroads and sell one’s soul to the devil. The concept dates back to African folklore. The deity Baron Samedi was believed to be the guardian of the crossroads and was an intermediate between gods and humans. When Christianity was introduced to African culture these pagan gods were labeled as being similar to the devil. Additionally, in Celtic tradition, the bodies of the unholy were buried outside of town near crossroads to preserve consecrated ground. This is where the concept that one could find the devil at a