What is Voodoo ?
Voodoo (also spelled Vodou) is an ancient West African religion practiced by more than 30 million people in Benin, Togo and Ghana. Voodoo varieties are also present in the United States, and the Caribbean. The word ‘vodou’ comes from the languages of West Africa, and means ‘spirit’. That is appropriate as Voodoo is a religion of spirits. Practitioners of Voodoo (who are called Voodooists) believe that the world of humans is shared by the world of the spirits. When a person dies, his spirit passed to the world of the unseen but is still able to see the human world, the visible world. Spirits, it is believed, in some cases can even impact the world of the living.
Belief in Voodoo crossed the Pacific ocean when captured slaves came to the Americas from Africa, more than 400 years ago. Different Voodoo traditions intermingled and formed the different varieties of Voodoo we see today in the Americas. Voodoo believers and practitioners keep alive an oral tradition of their religion and culture which includes rites, chants, and the use of a variety of voodoo supplies including dolls, candles, and other paraphernalia. The three main varieties of Voodoo are.
The Role of Ancestor Worship in Voodoo
Ancestor worship is a significant aspect of Voodoo practices. Voodooists engage with their ancestors through rituals and offerings, believing that the spirits of the deceased can provide guidance and protection. **Common practices** include lighting candles, offering food, and reciting specific prayers and chants that have been passed down through generations. Ancestor spirits are often consulted for wisdom in making important life decisions, and their approval and blessings are sought during significant life events such as marriages and births.
Voodoo Rituals and Ceremonies
Voodoo rituals are rich in symbolism and are performed by a Voodoo priest or priestess, known as a **Houngan** or **Mambo**. The ceremonies often involve drumming, dancing, and singing to invite spirits into the physical world. One of the central practices is the **Voodoo trance**, where participants may become possessed by spirits. When “ridden” by a spirit, the possessed person loses their identity and behaves as the spirit they have become, offering divine messages or healing.
Common Symbols and Their Meanings
Voodoo is rich with symbols, known as **Veves**, which represent various spirits. **Veves** are often drawn on the ground using cornmeal, flour, or other substances at the beginning of rituals to invite the spirits. Some common symbols include:
- Veve of Papa Legba: Symbolizes the spirit who serves as the gatekeeper between the human world and the spirit world.
- Veve of Erzulie: Represents the spirit of love, beauty, and prosperity.
- Veve of Damballah: Icon of the serpent spirit associated with creation and wisdom.
The Influence of Catholicism on Voodoo
When Voodoo practitioners were enslaved and brought to the Americas, they encountered **Christianity, particularly Catholicism**, which influenced modern-day Voodoo practices. Voodoo incorporates Catholic saints, who are seen as representations of different Voodoo spirits or **Loas**. For example, **Saint Peter** is often equated with **Papa Legba**, who controls the crossing from the material world to the spiritual realm. This syncretism allowed enslaved people to practice their religion openly under the guise of Christian worship.
Additional Resources
For those interested in learning more about Voodoo, the following resources provide a wealth of information:
- PBS - The Spirit and Many Faces of Voodoo
- Smithsonian Magazine - Understanding Voodoo
- National Geographic - Voodoo: A Way of Life
