Vodou, also known as Voodoo, is a religious practice involving believers praying and performing animal sacrifices to heal and beckon the spirits. Based on a representation of the religion in Hollywood movies, Voodoo in contemporary society is based on the thought of dolls with pins stuck in them to cause pain to the enemies of an individual (Montgomery, 2019). Other misconceptions include black magic, animal sacrifices, and cult activities. However, Voodoo is not some form of dark mystical and instead is a religion with a rich history and strong beliefs. Voodoo is one of the most controversial religions and is confused by many who do not understand its origin and practices, mostly misjudging it as a dark force or magic. However, Voodoo represents the occurrences in situations involving intolerance and fear beliefs that differ from others within a culture.
Origin of Voodoo
The religion is monotheistic and originated in Haiti from Benin. Therefore, the practice is most common in West Africa and Haitian regions. It is recognized as a significant part of the Haitian culture, while it is considered an official religion in Benin practised by 40% of its population (Montgomery, 2019). In Haiti, the religion is practised by over 50% of the populace (Montgomery, 2019). Religion is also present in other parts of the world, such as the United States and Jamaica Nonetheless, it is a contradicting practice since it was formed during slavery and played a critical role in the struggle against the rule (Séraphin & Nolan, 2014). The practise was forbidden by the Catholic Church and the Haitian government before it was finally accepted as part of the national culture. However, the religion was then manipulated by the dictatorship of Duvalier from 1957 to 1986 (Montgomery, 2019). This highlights that the practice has been an influential factor in the subsist of countless persons of African descent, both positively and adversely.
What It Involves
Voodoo meant spirit and was formed during the slave trade of the 16th and 17th centuries (Montgomery, 2019). Therefore, it is considered a syncretism since it is a combination of the adoration of the West African gods and the reverence of Catholic Saints. When enslaved Africans arrived in Haitian plantations, they did not abandon their ancestral religion and practices. Instead, they amalgamated the practice with Roman Catholicism, thus creating the beliefs that make up Voodoo in the present day. The Africans also adopted most Catholic saints creating a unique blend of ideas. Voodoo is founded on the belief that one god (Bondye) does not interfere with daily lives, but the spirits do (Séraphin & Nolan, 2014). Therefore, the believers must perform various rituals to connect with the spirits.
The worship of ancestors and animals is still a central part of voodoo mythology. Religion comprises four distinct aspects: preparation, invocation, possession, and farewell. Various symbols are a central part of the religion, with the cross being the core symbol. The cross is considered a supporting framework of the universe. Vèvè is also an important symbol of the faith, and they are the geometrical drawings that depict the spirits (Iwa) (Séraphin & Nolan, 2014). However, the religion lacks codified doctrines or rules, which creates differences in the practices from one area to another. Vodouisants make offerings to Iwas to grant them a favor. Iwas acts as the intermediary between them and god and the believers.
Purpose and Anthropology
The central norm of Voodoo is that all things are spirits where humans inhabit the visible world. In contrast, the invisible world consists of spirits, angels, ancestors, and people who recently died (Koy, 2021). The Christian God is then considered the maker of the universe and spirits. The spirits have been responsible for taking care of mortality and natural creation. The core goal of the believers is to serve the laws. Therefore, rituals are performed to appease the spirits, and in return, they receive good health, protection, and health (Koy, 2021). Spirit possession which involves trancelike states, plays a critical role in religious practices. The ritual activity purposes of purifying and reinstating balance in the relations between the people and the spirits of the unseen world. The calendar of ritual activities has been synchronized with the Catholic calendar, which provides a rhythm of the religious practices.
Voodoo is critical in bringing a community together through remembrance and honouring their ancestors and origins. It also creates fear among outsiders who do not understand it properly and have predicted its end many times (Koy, 2021). However, despite the religion’s pressure over the years, it has still managed to be an impactful religion practised in many areas globally. Similar to other religions, Voodoo offers the followers a sense of belonging. Religion is a social force that can create cohesion within a society. For this reason, Voodoo unified the slave population in Saint-Dominguez and provided them with the courage to onset the Haitian Revolution (Séraphin & Nolan, 2014). religion was critical in influencing the Haitian community to rediscover itself and form its identity. It is also believed that the lack of the unifying effects of religion makes the country’s foreign occupations easier to accomplish. Therefore, religion’s primary purpose is to create a sense of identity and glue society together.
Through centuries of hardships and poverty, Voodoo has been fundamental in assisting Haitians to find meaning and express meaning through arts and music (Koy, 2021). The religion is based on various geometric depictions of the spirits and has a deeper meaning to the practitioner. They also create artefacts that symbolize the fighting spirit of their ancestors (Koy, 2021). Religion also impacts other areas of social life, such as achieving gender equality. Voodoo puts women in leadership roles for many years before even forming the women’s rights concept. Marie Laveau is one of the most well-known voodoo specialists in the history of the religion (Séraphin & Nolan, 2014). She was mighty and is still much celebrated. Mary transformed herself into a theoretical and flashy seer during a period when women of colour had less power. Therefore, she represents the authority and social stimulus that influential females hold in society.
However, religion attracts an opposing view from the rest of society. Religious relativism argues that at least one world belief is accurate, and a religion’s precision is comparative to its community’s worldview (Koy, 2021). According to constructionist perspectives, the U.S media portrays Voodoo as a social problem (Koy, 2021). It is shown as a religion based on black magic and witchcraft; it is also a melange of superstitious beliefs used for deceptive objectives. It is also considered a cult that accepts human torture and sacrifices. Conversely, these representations stem from outsiders’ lack of understanding of the religion and its practices, who mainly misinterpret the symbols and rituals they perform.
Conclusively, Voodoo is a controversial religion that creates a mystery among non-believers. Religion has been associated with negative aspects such as black magic, human sacrifices, and evil spirits. However, these interpretations have steamed from fear and a lack of understanding of its origins and history and practices. Voodoo plays a critical role in Haitian culture as a social glue that creates cohesion depicts a sense of belonging while supporting the achievement of social norms such as equality. Therefore, a better understanding of the rituals and practices is critical for accepting the religion.
References
Koy, C. E. (2021). Folklore and Voodoo in Zora Neale Hurston’s their eyes were watching god. This is an electronic reprint of the original article. This reprint may differ from the original in pagination and typographic detail., 167.
Montgomery, E. J. (2019). Gothic” Voodoo” in Africa and Haiti. eTropic: electronic journal of studies in the Tropics, 18(1).
Séraphin, H., & Nolan, E. (2014). Voodoo in Haiti: A religious ceremony at the service of the ‘Houngan’called ‘tourism’. Rituals and traditional events in the modern world, New York: Routledge.
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