For anyone who has been in an English class at any point in the recent past, they’ll be well acquainted with Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn as well as “To Kill a Mockingbird,” and, as such, have undoubtedly heard reference of Haints. It’s odd, how often they are referenced or mentioned, that they aren’t a more popular legend to be discussed.
The origin of the Haint (like many) comes not from America, but traveled here with the stories of people who were enslaved. This specific creature hails from Gullah people who were enslaved and sent to the South from West and Central Africa. Their religious beliefs include Haints and consequently Hoodoo (which I would recommend learning more about as it is often unfairly represented and should be given more respect) created and modified. Most sources agreed that the presence of Haints in the U.S started in the Carolinas and spread throughout the South.
In the most common lore that has become known, Haints are specifically malevolent spirits that mean harm to the living. There’s not much difference to them from any other ghost of that manner. Like most superstitions, there are easy ritualistic routines to follow in order to be left alone by these lurkers.
Information regarding Haints from the Gullah people is a little bit more difficult to capture a wholly accurate picture of (as is true of all oral traditions, as they change between telling and teller), and there are hints of the American classic that pulled inspiration from the original stories. Examples of the different depictions come from a Kinitra D. Brooks, who argues against completely banishing all ghosts and Haints, saying in an article with southerncultures.org that she is protected from spirits that would do her harm by her grandmother’s lingering ghost.
Another source is in fact a painting site (freelandpainting) which discusses Haint blue. According to Doug Ireland, the author of the article, there is a specific color of blue primarily found in the South that was introduced as a popular color because of its ability to repel the spirits.
In the article he explains, “The Gullah believed that Haints were afraid of water, so they painted their doors, window frames, shutters, and porch ceilings a watery shade of blue that would (hopefully!) repel any Haints that approached their home with the intent of haunting it. They also painted their porch ceilings a sky-blue color. By doing so, the Gullah hoped that Haints would confuse the ceiling color with the sky and bypass their home entirely as they floated up into the ethereal blue color” (Ireland, The Ghostly Legend of “Haint Blue” Paint).
