Mumbo Jumbo

At the anti-lynching party, guests are elegantly dressed. LaBas and Earline navigate through the party’s social circles and then run into Berbelang, who is talking with Thor Wintergreen, a young white man from a rich family. Earline and LaBas attempt to engage Berbelang but he says he must leave immediately and has no time to explain. Earline is heartbroken by his departure and tells LaBas that she is going home to wait for him.

After Earline leaves, LaBas recognizes the accomplished occultist Black Herman, who is playing solitaire with Abdul Hamid, the well-known magazine editor. They listen to a news radio report that describes the rapid spread of Jes Grew. Black Herman recognizes LaBas and greets him. He asks LaBas how he predicted the return of Jes Grew. LaBas tells him it was through using his knockings and then explains that Jes Grew has returned in search of its sacred text. He says that because Jes Grew is an anti-plague, it is “yearning for the Work of its Word” (33). Abdul chimes in, stating that this theory is “a whole lot of Bull” (34). He claims that Black communities shouldn’t be dancing and indulging in carnal desires but instead need modernized educational and economic advancement. To LaBas’s dismay, Abdul insists that Jes Grew is “just a lot of people twisting they butts and getting happy” (34). He claims that these ways are based on old superstitions and it’s now time to follow Allah. After lambasting a negative review that Abdul had given him, LaBas accuses Abdul of being “no different from the Christians [he] imitate[s]” (34). LaBas then lists ways in which Islam and Christianity function similarly and oppressively. He makes a case for the value of pantheistic traditions such as Vodun.

The conversation shifts and LaBas accuses Abdul of whipping young women for wearing short dresses. Abdul denies whipping them but says they did get what they deserved. LaBas accuses him of “pick[ing] up the old Plymouth Rock bug and calling it Mecca” (36).

Abdul sees that there is no longer an audience watching the argument and his demeanor suddenly changes. In a conciliatory tone, he explains his worries that Harlem is going to change for the worse because of all the people moving there from outside of New York. He acknowledges that LaBas’s criticism of religions may be accurate, but the community needs discipline nonetheless. He explains that he spent nine years in prison for stabbing a man in defense of his mother. During this time, he self-educated through books. Through this education he came to understand the importance of using religion to acquire modern material needs. He insists that HooDoo and old-time belief systems are on their way out. Abdul says he must leave to resume work on a translation project.

LaBas and Black Herman are reflecting on the conversation when they see President-elect Harding enter the room. Harding speaks critically of the Haitian invasion and then says he has come to the party to “hear some of that good music” (41). He also wants to eat some chitterlings and pigs’ feet. LaBas decides to leave the party, and Black Herman sees him out.

The narrative then shifts to an Atonist scene. Biff Musclewhite is with his friend, the Sarge of Yorktown. They sit at a table at a dinner theater called the Plantation House, where guests are given the experience of being served by slaves. Musclewhite has recently reduced his role with the police department to become curator of the Center of Art Detention. They reminisce about how the Sarge has helped Musclewhite, a corrupt cop, become rich. Musclewhite explains how he schmoozed his way into the Center of Art Detention position and became adept at pretending he knows about art.

They watch the short play. The Sarge is about to order his dinner when he is shot in the head and dies. The gunmen escape, but evidence left behind suggests they were disguised as theater workers.

The narrative shifts back to LaBas. More backstory about his life is provided. He is 50 years old and has a relaxed demeanor, which Atonists mistake for laziness. When Sigmund Freud arrived in New York in 1909, LaBas tried to track him down, hoping to teach him “The Work.” LaBas located him but couldn’t get past the crowd of Freud’s sycophants and was then told by a group of intellectuals to use the Black elevator. LaBas never saw Freud, which according to the author was “much to Freud’s and Western Civilization’s loss” (46).

LaBas now awaits his turn before a judge, facing a charge that he allowed his dog to urinate on a local Catholic cathedral’s altar. This is another absurd hindrance brought upon him by the Atonists. Previously, LaBas had received the support and praise of a rich and powerful white dancer, Irene Castle, who helped keep the Atonists from coming after him. However, she is now assisting with the eradication of Jes Grew, and the Atonists feel free to harass him.

LaBas is called before the judge and asked to swear on the bible, but he “won’t dare touch the accursed thing” (47). The judge dismisses the case. The assumption is that the Atonists don’t want him in jail because it’s easier to use a string of court appearances to keep him from his work.

LaBas returns to the Mumbo Jumbo Kathedral, which is abuzz. There is drumming, liquor, food, and—in LaBas’s attempt to bridge a generational gap—yoga. Occasionally, a loa possesses a guest until it is drummed out of its host. Charlotte, one of LaBas’s workers, tells him that she’s quitting to take a job at the Plantation House. She tells him that she’s being required to share some of the dances she’s learned at the Kathedral. LaBas disapproves of this, stating that “[she] shouldn’t attempt to use any aspect of The Work for profit” (52). He warns Charlotte that doing so could upset a loa’s Petro, which could consequently bring great troubles upon her. He concedes that Charlotte will do as she pleases and they part ways.

Earline is at home. She reads a news story about Haiti and then takes a bath. Berbelang walks into the apartment and says hi. Earline is upset that this is all he has to say after being gone for three days. Berbelang explains that he was busy but can’t talk about it right now. She just needs to trust him. He says that very serious things are happening with the spread of Jes Grew. Earline tries to tell him to return to Papa LaBas, but they start kissing. Early the following morning she turns over to look at him and he’s gone.