Shedding Light on the ‘Dark’

Image of Vodou priestess courtesy of Pixabay

One of the most misunderstood religions is Vodou. Spelled Voodoo in Louisiana, Vodou in Haiti, and Vodu in Cuba, Vodou is often misrepresented in horror movies as something that is evil and scary with demon and devil worshipping. None of that is true.

Throughout history and even now, movie makers do not fully understand the history or culture of Vodou. Their intention is to instill fear around what is a sacred religion to many. The average movie goer does not take the time to investigate the truth behind Vodou.

Vodou is not evil, and practitioners find depictions in films to be disrespectful. Even Disney has been guilty of this mistaken perspective. A great example is how Dr. Facilier, a Vodou practitioner in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, is portrayed. Not only is Dr. Facilier seen as evil and the Vodou religion as scary, but its gods are as well.

 Vodou is a religion that originates in West Africa, Haiti, and the Congo and was brought to America during the Atlantic slave trade. The slaves brought their indigenous African religion with them to America.  The original word “Vodou” translates in English to Spirit or Ancestor Spirit.

The slave masters didn't want the slaves to practice their native religion because they feared it would lessen their control over them. They insisted the slaves convert to Catholicism.  Any slave caught practicing their indigenous religion would be severely punished.  

So, for them to continue practicing their religion, the slaves had to disguise their African gods. The African gods were known as Lwa who serve the supreme God, Bondi, which means Good God.

The slaves transformed their African gods into Saints.  Slave owners allowed them to practice this way because they thought the slaves were converting to Catholicism. Instead, they were holding onto religious practices which gave them hope.

African Vodou sculpture courtesy of Pixabay

The Vodou doll has also been misunderstood. The dolls were originally clay figures to which people offered prayers. They were often used for healing the body. It was believed if a pin was put into the clay figure, it would relieve the person’s pain in that part of their body. The clay figures were turned into dolls when the slave masters forbid Vodou practitioners from using their clay figures. The dolls were used as a therapeutic tool for the slave to deal with the trauma they endured during slavery.

Vodou invokes ancestors in the religion.  Ancestors are highly regarded in Vodou and are believed to always be with us. Ceremonies and parties that celebrate ancestor spirits are performed in Vodou. The ancestors are given the food and drink they enjoyed in life.

Unlike the way they are portrayed in horror movies, Vodou celebrations do not include human sacrifices. Goats are slaughtered for the feast, but it is with the permission of the animal. They are blessed and prayed over. The meat from the animal is used to feed everyone at the celebration as well as the community. Nothing is wasted.

Reincarnation is a Vodou belief.  The spirit of the family member will eventually incarnate as another family member. Death and rebirth are celebrated, as well as being seen as part of the natural world.

Vodou continues to be practiced today. Celebrations follow the Catholic calendar. In Louisiana, where Catholicism has a long history, practitioners use core Catholic elements to enhance their own Vodou religion.

One of the most famous Vodou leaders in Louisiana is Marie Laveau who was a devout Catholic, as well as a Vodou practitioner. Many Vodou practitioners in Louisiana see no conflict practicing Vodou and being Catholic.

Hattian Vodou is practiced in Miami because of its large Haitian immigrant population. Vodou continues to be practiced today in West Africa and the Republic of Congo.

Vodou is a very peaceful religion whose main purpose is to heal others, celebrate the spirits of the ancestors, and work toward spiritual enlightenment through rituals.  Rituals are performed by a priest or priestess to heal individuals as well as the community.

Instead of believing what Hollywood or someone has told you about something, or buying into a fearful version, do your own research about the origins and practices for yourself.  You may find that it is not scary at all.

Vodou is a religion and practice to help, and to heal, and to give people hope, belief, faith, and light when times are good and also when times are very dark.

Image of Vodou dance courtesy of Pixabay