The Voodoo Religion: A History Of Vodun In America

The Voodoo Religion A History of Vodun in America

General Knowledge    

Vodun is usually called Voodoo by the public. The name is a form of the African word for "spirit". Vodun's roots may go back 6,000 years in Africa. Slaves brought their mysterious religion with them when they were forcibly shipped to Haiti

It’s Role Today 

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In 1989 Benin formed a democratic government and Vodun was allowed to be practiced. It became the official religion of Benin in 1996. Most adults in Haiti practice Vodun in some form. It is also commonly practiced in the American South. 60 million people practice Vodun worldwide.

Voodoo and Vodun 

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Vodun, the religious practice is found in: in Benin, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Haiti, Togo and various centers in the US - largely where Haitian refuges have settled. Voodoo, which is largely imaginary, is found in more commercial areas. It has been created for Hollywood movies, complete with "voodoo dolls", violence, and bizarre rituals.

Vodun in the West 

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When slaves arrived in Haiti, their owners made them baptized Christians. So, although the slaves were “Christian”, they mainly practiced their own Vodun faith. It was practiced in secret for the most part and many slaved also attended Catholic mass.

Vodun Beliefs   

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Vodun beliefs: Vodun, like Christianity, is a religion of many traditions. Devotees worship spirits, called Loa. The word means "mystery" in the Yoruba language. There is a chief God: Olorun, who is remote and unknowable. In Vodun, a lesser god called Obatala created Earth and all the life forms on it. There are hundreds of minor spirits.

Vodun and Christianity 

You can see an influence of Catholicism on later Southern American Vodun beliefs.  The Loa resemble Christian Saints  Both believe in an afterlife.  Both have the idea of a ritual sacrifice and consumption of flesh and blood.  Both believe in the existence of invisible evil spirits or demons.  Followers of Vodun believe that each person has a met tet which is very similar to a guardian angel.

The Vodun Soul 

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Followers of Vodun believe that each person has a soul which is composed of two parts: a gros bon ange or "big guardian angel", and a ti bon ange or "little guardian angel". The little guardian angel can and often leaves the body during sleep and when the person is possessed by a Loa during a ritual. There is a concern that the ti bon ange can be damaged or captured by evil sorcery while it is free of the body.

Vodun Rituals 

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Vodun rituals:

The purpose of rituals is to make contact with a spirit to obtain help. Human and Loa depend upon each other; humans provide food and other materials; the Loa provide health, protection from evil spirits and good fortune.

Vodun Rituals    

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Vodun priests can be male or female. A Vodun temple is called a hounfour. In the center of the temple is a pole where spirits communicate with the people. The altar in front of the pole will be decorated with candles, and statues of Christian saints. Before the ceremony starts, a veve is created on the floor. This is a pattern of flour or cornmeal. Then, drumbeats begin and rattles are shaken. Dancing will start. One of the dancers will eventually become possessed with a Loa. The possessed dancer will behave as the Loa and is treated with respect and ceremony by the others present.

Marie Laveau 

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Premiere voodoo priestess in New Orleans. Credited for bringing the religion to U.S. Kept its followers advised of its rituals. Famous voodoo practioner.

The Tomb of Marie