VOODOO RELIGION

HISTORY

• In 1510, there was a slave trade. The slaves were from the West Coast of Africa. When they got taken away, they had brought their beliefs and regional practices with them. It made them find unity, solace in God, & ancient rituals. This gave them a good deep sense of freedom.
• Other people that contributed to modern voodoo are Aradia, Nago, Congo, Senegalese, Mandingo, Ethopians, Sudanese, & Malgaches.
• The African slaves came from many different regions & most voodoos believe in the existence of one supreme god.

VOODOO RITUALS

• No single founder of voodoo
• There are different types of voodoo such as western African New Orleans voodoo, Louisiana voodoo, and Haitian voodoo.

VOODOO BELIEFS

• Voodoo beliefs can vary depending on the type and location.
• Many practitioners of voodoo in West Africa believe in a " supreme being "
• All types of voodoo believe in & interact with lesser spirits, as a key practice for their religion.
• These " lesser spirits " are called loa or miste voodoo dolls.

• Voodoo dolls are mostly associated with a form of African folk magic called, " hoodoo." Which is a mixture of animism & spiritism.
• Voodoo dolls can be made from corn shafts, potatoes, clay, branches, & roots or clothes stuffed with plant life.

How They Are Used :
Thanks to general ignorance, most people believe that voodoo dolls are used to get revenge on people, but that's honestly not the case.
The pins of a voodoo doll are usually used as focusing tods for healing and other positive purposes. Voodoo is not a form of black arts, but more of a combination with European folk magic.

SYMBOLISM

• This religion commonly includes the practices of inviting spirits to temporarily take possession of human bodies so that they could communicate with the same believers.
• The ceremonies that take place along with the practices include: drumming, chanting, dancing, & also drawing symbols known as " veves "
• A " veve " is used in a ceremony.

ORIGINS

• Voodoo from Africa to the West Indies was brought to Haiti by slaves in the 17th century.
• Voodoo to " vodu " meaning spirit.
• Belief worship of the spirits of family ancestry.
• Voodoo from Haiti to New Orleans came to America a little over 250 years ago.
• It's sometimes called, " hoodoo "
• Voodoo is not a secret practice of mysterious, sinister, island magic.
• It's legal religion roots are as old as Africa & has millions of followers today.

• First meeting place was a brickyard in Dumaine Street.
• Move less reliable versions including: blazing bond fires, drums, ecstatic dances, snake sacrifices, & drinking alcohol and blood.

FACTS

• No single founder of voodoo.
• It's practices are from: West Africa, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, America, & especially in Louisiana.
• It's influenced by its cultural contexts & influences it's cultural contexts.

WHAT THEY BELIEVE

• Those who practice voodoo believe there are visible and invisible worlds and that these two worlds are intertwined
• They believe death is a transition into the invisible world.
• Their attire is entirely white clothing. It's their default attire.
• White clothing is worn during initiation & ceremonies
• It is considered sacred to the spirits.