According to Rosemary Ellen Guiley in The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, (Checkmark Books, 1993), and Jim Haskins, Voodoo & Hoodoo, (Scarborough House, 1990) Vooduon is a syncretic religion developed by African slaves combining the Pagan religion of the Yoruba with Catholicism. To practice the Pagan religion meant punishment, even death to the slaves. The African gods and goddesses were worshipped as saints of the Catholic religion. The deities are called loas. High priests are houngans and the priestesses, mambos.
Bokors are sorcerers who practice black magic, as opposed positive purposes such as healing. Vooduon was formed in the Caribbean Islands. Haiti is the stronghold of Vooduon Originally, the rites were held in secret, in the deep woods or in Louisiana bayous.
Voodoo - Merging the Beliefs
There is a pantheon of gods and goddesses called Loas. The Chief god is Danbhalah- Wedo, Great Serpent. He continued creation. According to tradition, a Supreme Being, Gran Met made the world, but once it was created, went to other worlds. It was not possible to worship him directly. Africans worshipped Danh-gbwe, a large python, in Africa and a boa in the Caribbean.
Aida-Wedo, the Rainbow, is his wife, and is worshipped as a small coiled snake who eats bananas and lives in the water. They are to be served.
The practitioners would call on St. Patrick for intercession, but were really praying to Danbhalah-Wedo. St. James represented Ogoun, the god of wisdom, fire, war, metalwork, iron and armor.
The Guedes are loas and symbolize death, debauchery and graves. They also protect children and preserve and renew life. As Christianity has various denominations, so does Vooduon. There are cults who worship the Guedes.
The Rites of Voodoo
Each African Tribe had its own rites and how loas manifested. The loas are called. When deities are called, they possess the body of the worshipper. The person loses consciousness and takes on the personality of the deity totally. Loas possess to give skills and talents, exorcise spirits, prophesy, heal, advise, help with rituals, receive sacrificial offerings and to punish.
The mambas and houngans are the medium to summon the loas and help them leave once their mission is accomplished. They also are diviners, musicians, spiritual leaders, healers and psychologists.
During the rites, there is chanting, drumming and shaking rattles. This is to enable people achieve an altered state of consciousness and facilitate possession. Snakes are often used in these rites. Depending on the cult, there are ritualistic animal sacrifices to the loas.
Voodoo Magick
The use of magick, be it good or evil, is an integral part of Vooduon. Evil is not the antithesis of good as it is in Catholicism. It is the mirror good’s image. If evil is needed, use it. The bokors practice evil. The most feared cult is the Bizango who have elaborate ceremonies in graveyards accompanied by frenzied dancing and may have human sacrifices of people they kidnapped.
Today’s Voodoo or Vooduon
New Orleans is the Vooduon capital of the USA. It is practiced in many cities as evidenced by ritual items left behind. People have checked into hospitals because they were ill and believed a Vooduon curse was the cause.
There are distinctions between Hoodoo and Vooduon, but this has blurred over time. Hoodoo is more elaborate then its sister religion.
There are stores that sell items used in rites including herbs, potions, powders, dolls, oils, idols and candles. Gris-gris bags that practitioners use in spell work are made up of herbs, powders, potions and other items the practitioner feels is necessary.
Jill Stefko - I'd rather deal with the paranormal than human abnormal - having dealt extensively with both.
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