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History of Voodoo
Impact on Society
Resources
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Vodun or Voodoo, as it is most commonly known, is the most dominant religion of Haiti. It stems directly from the religions of Africa, but does have some influence from the Roman Catholic Church. Followers of Voodoo worship a high god, Bon Dieu, Loa, the twins, and the dead.
Loa are very similar to Christian Saints. Loa are spirits of family members that led exceptional lives. Loa interact with people on earth, and are especially important in religious ceremonies because they enter into a person’s body and cause that individual to go into a trance, assuming the personality of the Loa. Each Loa is given a single attribute. While in the trance, people feel giddy and do not remember anything when they come out of the trance. Worshippers believe that Loa and humans depend upon each other. Humans provide food and other materials, while Loa provide health, good fortune and protection from evil spirits.
The twins are a mysterious set of good and evil forces. Worshippers believe that if the twins are honored during rituals they will cause more good than evil.
Some Voodoo followers believe that after being buried, the dead can rise again as zombies. A zombie has no mind of its own and can only be controlled by others. If the dead are honored and cared for, they will be helpful to the family. However, if the dead are ignored or forgotten, they can be very dangerous. Most Haitians believe in zombies, but few have ever reported seeing one.
Hollywood has portrayed Voodoo to be very evil and full of black magic, but more than 60% of Voodoo activity is used for healing people from illness. Sticking pins in Voodoo dolls is a practice used in New Orleans, not Haiti, as a means of cursing people. Due to horror movies, this practice has, in people's minds, become associated with Voodoo.
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