Introduction
Voodoo, is mistakenly believed to be the name for all nontraditional religious practices that began in Africa, and were later brought to the United States and Latin America through the slave trade. Voodoo (also spelled Vodou, Vodoun,) is one of just many religions syncertisiezed with Christianity brought to the United States and Latin America during the slave trade. While the religion may hold many similarities with other syncrestic religions such as Santeria, they are not the same.
Voodoo is believed to be between 6,000-10,000 years old, with a rich tradition that originated in Africa, lumping Voodoo (and other syncrestic religions) into the category of Neo-Paganism is a mistake. “Voodoo first came to the United States in 1803 when the prohibition against importing slaves from the West Indies was lifted to allow planters access to more labor. What began in Louisiana as the Haitian transplant of Voodoo eventually evolved into an American syncretism known as Hoodoo. This newer form of the ancient traditions developed differently in the U.S. Supplanting many of its religious aspects with more cultural and medieval aspects” (Perlmutter (2004) p. 212)
The Voodoo religion, like other syncrestic religions that have been studied this far, may seem alien in the United States because their belief systems are completely different than the Judeo-Christian beliefs that many of us were raised with. A study of voodoo reveals thousands of followers devoted to the theology of the religion, whom are no more likely to engage in ritual type crimes than anyone else. The common belief that Voodoo is an evil shadow religion who’s followers are engaged in ritual sacrifice are based on misconception, rather than any real understanding of Voodoo itself.
As I have stated in previous articles, I’m not a religious scholar, nor is an expert on Voodoo, the information presented here is meant to be a brief over view to shed light on the actual nature of Voodoo. Those interested in Voodoo are urged to research the topic on their own and form their own opinions on the nature of the religion.
Overview
The following information is a brief overview of some of the beliefs of Voodoo, it is important to remember that the form of Voodoo being practiced in America is not the same form being practiced in Haiti.
Voodoo:
· Also known as Vodun, Vodoun, and Hoodoo
· Voodoo is an established religion with as many as 60 million followers worldwide
· Voodoo derived from the African tribes of the Nagos, Ibos, Aradas, Dahomeans and others and evolved in Haiti
· Same types of crimes as Santeria, animal sacrifice.
Voodoo Theology
· Voodoo has many deities known collectively as Loa and known as either Rada or Patro each corresponding to a catholic saint
· Rituals are similar to Santeria and include initiation, divination, Sacrifice and spirit possession
· Voodoo alters are kept in small rooms known as badji
· Male priests are called Hougan and female priests called mambo(white magic)
· Bokors also known as caplatas practice black magic(Perlmutter (2004) p 211)
Haitian Voodoo
Voodoo is the official state religion of Haiti; the religion has approximately seven million followers spread between Haiti and Haitian Diaspora. The primary origin of Haitian Voodoo is among the Fon-Ewe people of West African country formerly known as the Kingdom of Dahomey(now know as Benin).
Similar to Santeria, there is also a form of Voodoo being practiced in Africa. While the Voodoo being practiced in Africa is the parent religion to Haitian Voodoo, the practices are different. The cause for the difference being, the religions developed and grew in different parts of the world with different influences.
In addition of Vodou as it is practiced in Haiti there is also Vodou in Africa which remains the parent or root religion of Haitian Vodou. Though its contemporary form is no longer what it was during the slave trade. The two traditions have evolved independelly over the past 250 years
The word Vodou comes from the Fon language of Dahomey (present day Benin) and translates roughly as spirit. The Vodou religion is an amalgamation of several African traditions that arrived in the hearts and minds of the slaves beginning around the year 1522 continuing to evolve in almost complete isolation until 1860
Its geographic origins come from three separate sources:
1. Mother Africa principally the Fon traditions of old Dahamey(to a lesser degree the neighboring Nago Traditions from present day Yorba-Land or Nigeria) and traditions of the Bantu speaking p eoplesof the Kongo basin
2. The second source are those traditions of Native American principally the Taino/Arwak Indians of the island we now know as called Haiti and elsewhere in the Caribbean
3. The last influences are European and Include Catholicism(Aboudja (n.d.) More about Haitian Voodoo)
Pantheon of Spirits
It has been stated that Voodoo is a monotheistic religion based on the fact that the religion believes in a singular creator God. “Vodou is a monotheistic religion and traditional culture whols faithful believe in a singular creator God who in Haiti is commonly called Bondje. Beneath this ultimate source or creation is a host of lesser divinities called Lwa(Loa)”(Aboudja (n.d.) More About Haitian Voodoo)
Bondje derived from the French words Bon Dieu or Good God. Because Bondje is untouchable, un knowable, followers turn to lesser gods/spirits/divinities called Lwa(Loa). The Lwa would appear to be similar to the Christian concept of angles. God does not often interfere with the day to day lives of humanity. Angles are lesser spiritual beings that assist humanity and speak to God on humanity’s behalf.
The Lwa can be divided into two categories the Rada and Patwo:
In Vodou spirits are divided according to their nature in roughly two categories whether they are hot or cool. Cool spirits fall under the Rada category and hot spirits fall under the Patwo Category
Rada spirits are familial and come mostly from Africa, Petwo spirits are mostly native to Haiti and are more demanding and require more attention to detail than the Rada but both can be dangerous if angry or upset. Neither is good or evil in relation to the other.(Rock (2003) Haitian Voodoo History & Beliefs
Conclusion
Information about Voodoo and other syncrestic religions is difficult to find. Because of its history of persecution at the hands of slave traders, voodoo is a closed society. As America becomes more multicultural, and as Hispanic immigrants become more open about their traditional religious beliefs, it is likely that Voodoo will become a more common and hopefully less misunderstood religion.
References
Perlmutter, D. (2004). Investigating Religious Terrorism and Ritualistic Crimes. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press LLC.
Rock, M. (2003). About Haitian Voodoo-Haitian Voodoo History and Beliefs. Retrieved May 1st, 2009 from http://erzulies.com/site/articles/view/5
Aboudja, H.K. (n.d.) More About Haitian Voodoo. Retrieved May 1st, 2009 from http://www.erzulies.com/site/articles/view/6
