Liber XXXIV · Vodou & Hoodoo
Introduction
Haitian Vodou, Louisiana Voodoo, Hoodoo, Santería and their West African roots.
The religions of the African diaspora are living traditions with deep histories: West African Vodun among the Fon and Ewe; Haitian Vodou, forged in colonial Saint-Domingue and the revolution of 1791; Louisiana Voodoo and the legend of Marie Laveau; the conjure and rootwork of African American Hoodoo; and the orisha religions of Santería (Lucumí), Candomblé and Ifá. This section explains their spirits, priesthoods, rituals and sacred symbols such as the vèvè, and separates their history from the Hollywood myths of zombies and pin-stuck dolls.
7 min readWhat Is Voodoo? Vodun, Vodou, Hoodoo and Their True HistoryWhat is Voodoo? A clear guide to West African Vodun, Haitian Vodou, Louisiana Voodoo and Hoodoo: their origins, shared beliefs, spirits and common myths.8 min readSpirit Possession in Vodou and Afro-Atlantic ReligionsSpirit possession in Vodou, Santería, Candomblé and Vodun: what devotees mean by being 'mounted', how it unfolds in ritual, and how scholars explain it.
Forthcoming in this chapter
16- Conjure Doctors: Meaning, History and Practice
- Mojo Bags: Meaning, History and Practice
- Regla de Ocha: Meaning, History and Practice
- Ifá Divination: Meaning, History and Practice
- Quimbanda: Meaning, History and Practice
- Palo Mayombe: Meaning, History and Practice
- Obeah: Meaning, History and Practice
- Espiritismo: Meaning, History and Practice
- The Poto Mitan: Meaning, History and Practice
- Houngan and Manbo: Meaning, History and Practice
- The Ounfò: Meaning, History and Practice
- Bois Caïman: Meaning, History and Practice
- The Code Noir and Religion: Meaning, History and Practice
- Congo Square: Meaning, History and Practice
- Spiritual Supply Shops and Curio Companies: Meaning, History and Practice
- Mami Wata: Meaning, History and Practice