![]() ![]() Rites also flourish in New Orleans, New York, Houston and Charleston, South Carolina.Įtymologists trace the origins of the word vodun to the term vodun, meaning “spirit” or “deity” in the Fon language of the West African kingdom of Dahomey, now part of Nigeria. Vodun is almost synonymous with Haiti, but the The gods “speak” to their devotees through spIrIt possession but only for a short time during ceremonies. An estimated 50 million worshipers worldwide believe that the work of the gods appears in every facet of daily life and that pleasing the gods will gain the faithful health, wealth and spiritual contentment. Vodun (also Voodoo) Vodun, recognized as a religion, bears little resemblance to the lurid snake-and-sex orgies, complete with pin-stuck dolls and zombielike followers depicted in the movies. Alles – Copyright © 2007, 1998 by DWJ BOOKS LLC Taken from : The Encyclopedia of World Religions – Revised Edition – written by DWJ BOOKS LLC. As a result, Voodoo spread to Miami, New York City, and other places in the United States. Toward the end of the 20th century economic deprivation and political instability forced many people to flee Haiti for North America. Those who practice Voodoo call that side the “work of the left hand.” It involves serving spirits that one has bought and using the bodies of the recently deceased for slave labor (zombies). They oversee festivals, practice divination, bless, and heal. A male priest is called a houngan a female priest is called a mambo. Although it is possible to serve the spirits on one’s own, Voodoo also has its own religious specialists. Major spirits have their counterparts among the Catholic SAINTS, and Voodoo festivals often take place in conjunction with Catholic festivals.Īt times the Catholic Church has attempted to suppress Voodoo, because it found the mingling of African spirits and Christian saints offensive. The goal of the drumming, dancing, and singing is to bring about spirit-possession.Ī spirit takes control of a human body, uses it as its “horse,” and in that way communicates with human beings. The Rituals at major festivals include the sacrifice of an animal (often a chicken), feasts, drumming, dancing, and singing. But Voodoo knows larger observances, too. They also serve the spirits of the areas where they live.Īt its simplest, one serves spirits by lighting candles, saying PRAYERS, and giving offerings. People serve spirits that their mothers and fathers served. They are organized into “nations.” One common system speaks of two nations of spirits: sweet spirits, which are kindly, and hot ones, which are powerful and energetic. Some spirits are ancestors others are associated with natural phenomena. (See the entry for Lwa ) These spirits are above human beings, but not so high as Bondye. Their religious life centers instead on various spirits. They call that God Bondye, from the French phrase for “good God.” But Voodoo practitioners consider Bondye distant and inaccessible. Those who practice Voodoo believe in a supreme GOD. The religion combines African spirit worship with aspects of ROMAN CATHOLICISM, the official religion of Haiti. Nevertheless, it seems that Voodoo played a part in the slave revolt. In 1804 they established their own country, the first republic ever established by Africans. Inspired by the French Revolution (1789), the slaves revolted. It was home to a large number of slaves originally from West Africa. Those who practice the religion say they are “serving the spirits.” Haiti was a French colony (established in 1697) that produced sugar. Voodoo preserves and adapts many African religious beliefs and practices. ![]() The origin of the name does, however, indicate something important. They have also spread many rumors about the religion. This word means spirit in a language spoken in the nation of Benin, West Africa. The Dominican Republic occupies the other two-thirds. Haiti is a country that occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. Voodoo is a religion practiced by people of African descent in Haiti, and by people who have emigrated from Haiti. ![]()
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