The practice of Voodoo
... who is remote and unknowable. He authorized a lesser God Obatala to create the earth and all life forms. A battle between the two Gods led to Obatala's temporary banishment. (Secrets of Voodoo 12) There are hundreds of minor spirits. Those which originated from Dahomey are called Rada; those who were added later are often deceased leaders in the new world and are called Petro. Some of these are Agwe: spirit of the sea Aida Wedo: rainbow spirit Ayza: protector Baka: an evil spirit who takes the form of an animal Baron Samedi: guardian of the grave Dambala (or Damballah-wedo): serpent spirit Erinle: spirit of the forests Ezili (or Erzulie): female spirit of love Mawu Lisa: spirit of creation Ogou Balanjo: spirit of healing Ogun (or Ogu Bodagris): spirit of war Osun: spirit of healing streams Sango (or Shango): spirit of storms Yemanja: female spirit of waters Zaka (or Oko): spirit of agriculture The Voodoo religion believes that true communion comes only through possession of the body by a Loa or spirit. Possession is very common during rituals for it is how the Loa give instructions to or help the people. They believe they get possessed for certain reasons. Such things as protection, cures from illness, or even to give warning to an individual or to the whole community of worshipers (Possession 1). When a person gets possessed, they show struggle moving and jumping around like crazy people. Then all of a sudden they go blank and motionless. They then come out of that trance a totally different person. While a person is possessed all bodily functions and gestures take the form of the Loa which possesses the body. While the Loa possesses the body it will often smoke, drink alcohol, and eat. These are all things that it is usually not capable of doing unless in a human body. The lwa are the supernatural begins that can enter the human body, and they are thought to be present in all realms of nature. (Voodoo 67) They are thought to live in trees, the streams, and the mountains; in the air, the water, and fire. They are also known to eat or walk on fire and will show no marks on their body afterwards. The possessed person shows great strength and is known to toss things as well as people around. The possessed will have a totally different voice, facial expressions, etc.... After the possession, the person has no remembrance of what happened and therefore cannot be held responsible for what they did while being possessed (Possession 1-2). Voodoo rituals play an important role in the religion. Since followers believe that human and Loa depend upon one another, they hold many rituals to make contact with the spirits through a very special process. The possessed are protected from the possible effects of their own frenzy by the crowd which surrounds them. They are prevented from struggling too furiously and if they fall, arms are ready to catch them. (Voodoo 122) Even their modesty is shielded: a woman rolling on the ground, convulsed, is followed by another woman to make sure that her dress does not disorder. This sympathetic concern on the part of the crowd for the gambols of the possessed certainly provides an atmosphere of moral and physical security. (Voodoo 126) A person coming out from the trance remembers nothing of what he did or said while possessed. Even, if the trance seemed obviously ‘put on’, he will deny it. No person possessed is supposed to know what he has been the receptacle for a spirit, unless he has learnt it from someone else. Many, when informed, seem to disbelieve the account of their words and actions. Possession my last anytime; and sometimes; with some people trance lasts several hours or even whole days. (Secrets of Voodoo 32) Rituals can be held for many different reasons. Music and dance are key elements to Voodoo ceremonies. Ceremonies were often termed by whites "Night Dancing" or "Voodoo Dancing". This dancing is not simply a prelude to sexual frenzy, as it has often been portrayed. The dance is an expression of spirituality, of connection with divinity and the spirit world. (Voodoo 125) The purpose of rituals is to make contact with a spirit, to gain their favor by offering them animal sacrifices and gifts, to obtain help in the form of more abundant food, higher standard of living, and improved health. Human and Loa depend upon each other; humans provide food and other materials; the Loa provide health, protection from evil spirits and good fortune. Rituals are held to celebrate lucky events, to attempt to escape a run of bad fortune, to celebrate a seasonal day of celebration associated with a Loa, for healing, at birth, marriage and death. Vodun priests can be male (houngan or hungan ), or female (mambo ). A Vodun temple is called a hounfour (or humfort). At its center is a poteau-mitan a pole where the God and spirits communicate with the people. At its center is a poteau-mitan a pole where the God and spirits communicate with the people. An altar will be elaborately decorated with candles, pictures of Christian saints, symbolic items related to the Loa, etc. (Voodoo webpage) Rituals consist of some of the following components: A feast before the main ceremony Creation of a veve, a pattern of flour or cornmeal on the floor which is unique to the Loa for whom the ritual is to be conducted Shaking a rattle and beating drums which have been cleansed and purified Chanting Dancing by the houngan and/or mambo and the hounsis (students studying Vodun). The dancing will typically build in intensity until one of the dancers (usually a hounsis) becomes possessed by a Loa and falls. His or her ti bon ange has left their body and the spirit has taken control. The possessed dancer will behave as the Loa and is treated with respect and ceremony by the others present. The Houngan then calls the Loa by striking the veve or calling upon it with the use of magical words (Basic 4). Chanting begins along with prayers, one of the most common being the prayer of life and death which reads: “Earth, while I am yet alive, it is upon you that I put my trust, Earth who receives my body. We are addressing you, and you will understand.” (Belgum 39) Animal sacrifice; this may be a goat, sheep, chicken, or dog. They are usually humanely killed by slitting their throat; blood is collected in a vessel. The possessed dancer may drink some of the blood. The hunger of the Loa is then believed to be satisfied. The animal is usually cooked and eaten. Animal sacrifice is a method of consecrating food for consumption by followers of Vodun, their gods and ancestors. They believe by doing this, they share in the Loa’s power since the offering belongs to the Loa. The ceremony then ends with chanting and clapping (Basic 2-5). The houngan and mambos confine their activities to "white" magic which is used to bring good fortune and healing. However caplatas (also known as bokors) perform acts of evil sorcery or black magic, sometimes called "left-handed Vodun". Rarely, a houngan will engage in such sorcery; a few alternate between white and dark magic. The evil or left-handed Voodoo is often associated with magic, zombies, and werewolves. This is mostly exaggerated by unknowledgeable writers or film makers (Belgum 46). Voodoo dolls were never part of the religion either. They were started in New Orleans and are not part of the religion (Vodun 3). I have found that Voodoo is a logical religion that is just misunderstood and misjudged by many people. Even though it contains some magic, it is not the main point of the religion nor is it practiced by normal members to the religion. I think this just proves what is often said by many, do not pass judgment without actual knowledge. Voodoo is a practical religion, playing an important role in the family and the community. One's ancestors, for instance, are believed to be a part of the world of the spirits, of the Loas, and this is one way that Voodoo serves to root its participants in their own history and tradition. Another practical aspect of Voodoo ceremonies is that participants often come before the priest or priestess to seek advice, spiritual guidance, or help with their problems. The priest or priestess then, through divine aid, offer help such as healing through the use of herbs or medicines (using knowledge that has been passed down within the religion itself), or healing through faith itself as is common in other religions. Voodoo teaches a respect for the natural world Unfortunately, the public’s perception of voodoo rites and rituals seems often to point to the evil or malicious side of things. There are healing spells, nature spells, love spells, purification spells, and joyous celebration spells. Spirits may be invoked to bring harmony and peace, birth and rebirth, increased abundance of luck, material happiness, and renewed health. The fact is, for those who believe it, voodoo is powerful. It is also empowering to the person who practices it. (American Voudou 67) Despite Voodoo's noble status as one of the world’s oldest religions, it has been typically characterized as barbaric, primitive, sexually licentious practice based on superstition and spectacle. Much of this image however, is due to a concerted effort by Europeans, who have a massive fear of anything African, to suppress and distort a legitimate and unique religion that flourished among their enslaved Africans. When slavers brought these peoples across the ocean to the Americas, the African's brought their religion with them. However, since slavery included stripping the slave...