Voodoo in haiti, one of his two books on that islands culture, presented voodoo as a structured, complex religious system, examined its african origins, and showed its relation to roman catholicism in haiti. Aug 26, 2015 unlike its fictional depiction in zombie films and popular culture, voodoo is a fullfledged religion with a pantheon of deities, a priesthood, and communities of believers. Yet outside of haiti, next to no one understands this joyous and profound way of life. They are real beings, intelligent beings, they lust after worship and are full of cruelty. Vodun cosmology centers around the vodun spirits and other elements of divine essence that govern the earth, a hierarchy that range in power from major deities governing the forces of nature and human society to the spirits of individual streams, trees, and rocks, as well as dozens of ethnic vodun, defenders of a certain clan, tribe, or nation. The impact of voodoo on the haitian revolution free essay example. The slaves in haiti set in motion an uprising that was so bold and bloody that one researcher calls it so colorful that not even hollywood would have to improve upon history corbett 1991. Bob corbett march 1988 important note first and foremost voodoo is a religion.
To call to and invoke the loa, people play a variety of. Vodou is elusive and endangered, but it remains the soul of haitian people far from bmovie cliches, vodou is spiritual system and a way of life but even in haiti, where it became an official. Haiti, once called the jewel of the antilles, was the richest french colony in the new world. Sacred arts of haitian vodou, edited by don cosentino. He must be greeted with wet sponges and towels when leaving the water because of the heat. A working guide to the proper methods of interacting with the full vodou pantheon includes the myths, cultural heritage, and ancestral lineage of the lwa and how to honor and serve them provides an introduction and guide that is especially useful for the solitary practitioner. A conch shell is used to call him during a voodoo ritual. The history of voodoo does not start, as many people believe around 1500 ad in haiti, but about 15,000 years before christ in africa. Voodoo in haiti is a masterwork of observation and description by one of the most distinguished anthropologists of the twentieth century. The attendees begin to dance around a tree in the center of the yard, moving faster and harder with the rising pulse of the beat. There is no foundation text such as the koran or the bible in vodou, no written doctrine, and no centralized authority. Characterized by protruding eyes and a bad humor, lives under the mombin tree near a spring and is very fond of vermouth, rum, and cognac.
Then three drummers begin to play syncopated rhythms. It is somewhat intermediary between the practices and beliefs of peoples of west african and people of arawakia, some beliefs were taken from roman catholic christianity. One of the best written books on haitian voodoo that ive seen. Many of the practices and descriptions of voodoo belief may sound to us like rank superstition, but then, imagine the beliefs of christianity to people who know nothing about it. Descriptions of various loa of voodoo compilation from class assignments, spring, 1990. However, there are a host of spirits or deities called loa which. Protocols for riding with the lwa by kenaz filan isbn. From haitis culture and history, to vodous sacred beliefs, ceremonies, rituals, and practices grounded in ancestral communion, readers will get a rare look. Books written in the 19th century on voodoo and wade davis recent book and film, the serpent and the rainbow, written and produced in the 1980s, contributed to reinforce this voodoo perception.
Estimates vary, but in general anthropologists believe that more than half of haitians practice voodoo. The voodoo religion is native to haiti, having been fused from an uneasy union of african and roman catholic elements. Peter is recognised as papa legba, the gatekeeper of the spirit world, whilst st. Explore the timeless world of vodou, deep within the caves of. Vodou, also spelled voodoo, voudou, vodun, or french vaudou, a religion practiced in haiti. List of books and articles about voodoo online research library. Kongo packets, or medicine packets, hold healing or medicinal herbs and items.
With testimonies from voodoo priests, followers, witch doctors and more, understanding haitian voodoo is a deep observation of haitian voodoo through the eyes of christian faith, molded in haitian. There is so much misinformation regarding voodoo, either haitian or louisianan, that it is nearly impossible for someone unfamiliar with the culture to distinguish between the lies and the reality. Voodoo believers are most numerous in haiti, where voodoo was granted official religious status in 2003, and in benin, where the religion has had official recognition since 1996. Part ihaitian vodou caribbean history, haiitan vodou, haitian culture, lwa, voodoo i have decided to share a bit about the history and development of voodoo both in haiti and in louisiana in this first installment of a series of articles of voodoo culture and history. Voodoo is the dominant religion and cultural reality of haiti. This paper explores not only the ways in which haitian vodou has been intentionally demonized throughout history in order to maintain western supremacy, but also scrutinizes vodou as a. I have read sections, my husband has read the entire book. The enduring appeal of voodoo is analyzed through its uses in touristic culture, film, television, and literature. An introduction to haitis indigenous spiritual tradition 9780738730691. Most history books give august 21, 1791 as the date of the start of the haitian revolution. Haitian vodou by mambo chita tann an introduction to. It is an accurate and engaging account of one of the most fascinating and.
In fon the root word for voodoo is vodoun that means spirit or god. How voodoo is rebuilding haiti the oftenmisunderstood religion is playing a key role as the caribbean country recovers from the earthquake that. In the process, he shares the rich and at times disturbing history of its practitioners especially the. The serpent and the rainbow by wade davis, secrets of voodoo by milo rigaud, the faces of the gods. Vodou as we know it in haiti and the haitian diaspora today is the result of the pressures of many different cultures and ethnicities of people being uprooted from africa and imported to hispaniola during the transatlantic african slave trade. Haitian voodoo also incorporates clothing, objects and decorations to invoke or show respect for the loa. As the religion of slavespeople who werent taught to read or writevodou developed as an oral tradition. Vodun meaning spirit in the fon and ewe languages, pronounced with a nasal hightone u. This is one of the best, most thorough and concise articles every written on this vast, mysterious and often misunderstood tradition of haitian vodou. The impact of voodoo on the haitian revolution free essay.
Economists estimate that in the 1750s haiti provided as much as 50% of the gross national product of france. Unlike its fictional depiction in zombie films and popular culture, voodoo is a fullfledged religion with a pantheon of deities, a priesthood, and communities of believers. An introduction to the basic beliefs of the vodou voodoo. Nov 07, 2015 vodou is elusive and endangered, but it remains the soul of haitian people far from bmovie cliches, vodou is spiritual system and a way of life but even in haiti, where it became an official. Worshippers carry flags called drapo through areas used for worship to show respect for the spirits. Haitian vodou by mambo chita tann an introduction to haiti. And just like theres another side to the ageold religion, theres a vibrancy to life in. Voodoo brings solace to grieving haitians while most haitians say they are catholic, many practice a faith mixed with voodoos tenets of spirit worship and. How did haiti, once called the jewel of the antilles, arrive at its present troubles. The power of voodoo to impoverish and enslave a nation. However, as with any religion, followers of vodou cannot be lumped into a single category. The word vodun the haitian word voodoo comes from the african fon language which is still spoken today in benin.
Jan 20, 2010 voodoo brings solace to grieving haitians while most haitians say they are catholic, many practice a faith mixed with voodoo s tenets of spirit worship and reincarnation. Fon is spoken by over half the people of benin and it is the mother tongue of voodoo. The most historically iconic vodou ceremony in haitian history was the bois. Voodoo in haiti by metraux, alfred and a great selection of related books.
Voodoo sometimes spelled vodou or vodun is a religion based in west africa and practiced throughout haiti and the caribbean, brazil, the american south and other places with. Haitian vodou is a fascinating spiritual tradition rich with ceremonies and magic, songs and prayers, dances and fellowship. Yet, in both places, many people live on less than a dollar a day. It is with great pleasure we are able to provide this informative and fascinating essay for you, courtesy of mr. Haitian voodoo is a syncretic or religion, that originated in caribbean countries of haiti.
Voodoo had its origins over 350 years ago in west africa. An engravingprobably made from a contemporary artists sketchshows the eight haitian voodoo devotees found guilty in february 1864 of the murder and cannibalism of a. That is why i have decided to write a series of educational articles to teach the public what exactly it is that i practice and why it is nothing to be feared, but a beautiful love. Like many african nations, haiti is abundant in natural resources. Vodou is a creolized religion forged by descendents of dahomean, kongo, yoruba, and other african ethnic groups who had been enslaved and brought to colonial saintdomingue as haiti was known then and christianized by roman catholic missionaries in. Alfred metraux 19021963 has written a rich and lasting study of the lives and rituals of the haitian mambos and adepts, and of the history and origins of their religion. Vodou is elusive and endangered, but it remains the soul.
Voodoo authentica of new orleans provides authentic ritual entertainment, a complete line of voodoo products from voodoo dolls, gris gris bags, jujus, spells, potion oils and herbal blends, incense, candles, ritual kits, tools of divination, gift baskets to voodoo books, videos, spiritual consultations and. It was that tumultuous recent history that had drawn me in, and the suspicion id. Vodou is a creolized religion forged by descendents of dahomean, kongo, yoruba, and other african ethnic groups who had been enslaved and brought to colonial saintdomingue as haiti was known then and christianized by roman catholic missionaries in the. May 29, 20 an engravingprobably made from a contemporary artists sketchshows the eight haitian voodoo devotees found guilty in february 1864 of the murder and cannibalism of a 12yearold child. In the process, he shares the rich and at times disturbing history of its practitioners. The beauty and mystery of voodoo in haiti the boston globe. Written by a practitioner of the highest initiatory rank, haitian vodou by mambo chita tann is the only book offering a respectful, firsthand overview of this indigenous tradition. Feb 08, 2012 haitian vodou is a fascinating spiritual tradition rich with ceremonies and magic, songs and prayers, dances and fellowship. Patrick is associated with dumballah, the snake lwa. Vodou is elusive and endangered, but it remains the soul of. Vodou or voodoo is a monotheistic religion that is often misunderstood.
Powered by create your own unique website with customizable templates. Thus, the real source of voodoo is the egyptian pyramids. Discover librarianselected research resources on voodoo from the questia. Haitian vodou, mambo chita tann explores the historical roots and contemporary practices of the unique tradition of haitian vodou, bringing understanding to its songs, prayers, and rituals. Neohoodoo is the 8 basic dances of 19th century new orleans place congo the calinda the bamboula the chacta the babouille the conjaille the juba the congo and the voodoo modernized into the philly dog, the hully gully, the funky chicken, the popcorn, the boogaloo and the dance of great american choreographer buddy bradley.
Voodoo is an important part in the daytoday lives of many haitians. Although african slaves were brought to haiti and new orleans about the same time, i. The book of life, knowledge and confidence, pacific press, 2012, p. List of books and articles about voodoo online research.
This type of literature has commonly raised vehement reactions among haitian intellectuals, especially among ethnologists in the first half of the. The atmosphere was sweet, we were by the sea, our host was playing good kompa music, everyone was drinking, chatting, dancing and having a very good time. Haitian art music and cultural nationalism, michael largey is published by university of chicago press. In fact allada, a small town in benin, is often called the. Drawing from the expertise of contemporary practitioners, this encyclopedia presents the history, culture, and religion of haitian vodou and mississippi valley voodoo.
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