When most Americans think of Voodoo, images of witch doctors, shrunken heads, voodoo dolls, and even necromancy likely come to mind first. Yet the African religion, stereotyped in films and television for a century as a mystic and demonic practice, is spreading throughout the United States – and practitioners hope to shed pop culture stereotypes that they say don’t accurately represent their beliefs.
Is voodoo coming to a town near you… and is it something to fear?
What is Voodoo?
Voodoo (alternatively spelled Vodou) originated in Haiti but gained significant prominence in the American South among enslaved people. Followers of Voodoo worship a god named Bondye, whose name comes from the French phrase "Bon Dieu," meaning "Good God."
According to Voodoo beliefs, Bondye is the creator of the universe and everything within it. However, Bondye doesn't directly intervene in human affairs. Instead, Voodoo priests and priestesses conduct rituals to summon spirits known as loa, who serve as intermediaries for Bondye.
The loa act as mediators between humans and Bondye, each overseeing different aspects of life, and rituals to connect with the loa are often performed in Creole, a Haitian-French dialect.
RELATED: What is the Difference Between Voodoo and Hoodoo?
Voodoo in Pop Culture
Despite Voodoo’s focus on community and connection with one’s ancestral history, Voodoo’s legacy in pop culture is a sinister mysticism largely unrepresentative of the faith as a whole.
Voodoo’s Rada loa, for example, is widely viewed as the inspiration for our shambling, flesh-eating modern zombies. The Haiti-set 1932 film White Zombie (itself based on The Magic Island by William Seabrook) popularized the idea of Voodoo priests resurrecting the shambling undead for United States audiences, yet in Voodoo, zombies aren't violent, brain-eating creatures.
Instead, they are viewed as victims, enslaved to a living master, and compelled to follow commands. They are non-violent and have no interest in harming others, and are often seen as symbolic of the pain – the inner “deadness” – of being enslaved.
And what about Voodoo dolls? These magical effigies are typically used as a representation for one’s enemies, with a pin prick inflicting pain on their human avatar. But is there any connection to Voodoo?
While their name may indicate otherwise, Voodoo dolls have no relation to the Voodoo faith. “Hollywood really did us a number,” explains VoodooHigh Priest Robi Gilmore. “We do not stab pins in dolls to hurt people; we don't take your hair and make a doll, and worship the devil with it, and ask the devil to give us black magic to get our revenge on you. It is not done, it won't be done, and it never will exist for us."
Fact Check: Animal Rituals
Earlier this year, a disturbing rumor began circulating online – later repeated by some prominent politicians and media figures – that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating household pets like cats and dogs. Some even speculated that there were religious reasons for this, insisting that animal sacrifice was part of Vodou tradition.
The claims were determined to be false, but not before the rumor spread far and wide.
Among the experts who've worked to set the record straight is Dr. Ingrid Kummels, a Latin American ethnologist at Freie Universität Berlin. "Afro-Caribbean religions, including Haitian Vodou, only involve the sacrifice of animals considered edible, such as chickens and goats. Cats and dogs are not part of these practices," Kummels explained. Such sacrifices are also rare.
Dr. Grete Viddal, another expert in Caribbean Vodou culture, added: "There's an expression in Haiti about extreme poverty, saying someone is so poor they might have to eat cats. But the idea that Haitians eat cats in Vodou rituals is pure fiction. It's simply not true."
A Waning Stigma?
Such disinformation has only contributed to the stigma around Voodoo in the U.S. Coupled with the faith’s demonization in pop culture, Voodoo practitioners in the United States have often been afraid to practice freely, fearing personal or professional reprisal.
However, there are signs that the stigma around Voodoo is wearing off – though some cultural stereotypes of the faith remain.
"A lot of people think voodoo is devilish. They think it's a doll with spirits but it's not that," explains Voodoo priest Erol Josue. "Voodoo is a way of life. Voodoo is dignity, it's a celebration."
Other practitioners agree.
“I encourage people to set aside their preconceived notions of Voodoo,” says Julie Valdivia, owner of KC Conjure in Kansas City, Missouri. “For years, white people have feared and demonized Black culture, leading to a misunderstanding of Voodoo. Hollywood has contributed to this stigma, but at its core, Voodoo is about healing and community.”
Is Voodoo coming to a town near you? It’s probably already there. Is it something to fear? Not at all.
28 comments
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
So what's the point then? Obviously there'll be a few here who will call it satanic and evil but then, to them everything not them is satanic and evil.
Voodoo, as the blog points out, has a perceived history of evil and satan and dark magic. But of course as it grew out of haitian and slave (with a sprinkling of kkkrs chn) beliefs the white overseers had no choice but to ban it, call it evil and demonize its followers, like they did initially with jazz, rock and roll and marijuana.
kkkirs chns believe a raped adolescent girl-child gave immaculate birth to bebe jebus, who lived, died and came back to life zombie-like, or the morons and joey smith, gold plates, magic rocks and a talking hat, or scientology with their space aliens, and islam which is a distillate of judyism and kkkrstinsanity with a blend of bedouin camel jockery and goat herdery.
as it stands, voodoo seems peaceful and communal so of course, many won't like it.
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Rev. BH
JJ, always (well, usually) like and agree with your posts, but I'm uncomfortably put off by your personal catchphrase put-downs. e.g. "kkkrstinsanit," "bebe" "jebus" etc. It diminishes you and thus the points you are trying to make. Several here can't spell, use proper grammar or construct an intelligible sentence. You might want to look better than that. Plus, no need to insult Bedouins or goat herders. Peace.
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
Rev BH, thanks for your input. My use of kkk in referencing those people (the mean, nasty ones) is to show my disdain for them. They come at the world all preachy, holy-rollery and holier-than-thou, with disdain for other religions and even more disdain for those who are liberal, progressive, LGBT+ (why, we even have a few here in ULC).
Let me point out that the reason I use kkk is to draw a similarity to the post-confederate, jim crow south KKK.
I am not attacking anyone here regarding their spelling, grammar or education rather, my use of certain phrases and/or colloquialisms are used for dramatic effect. No matter, those that agree with me understand and those that don't agree with me do so because of my opinions, not my prose.
When people come in here (as they do, always) quoting their bibble (not a type) and preaching hell fire it's because they simply can not get it through their heads that their religion is just that, theirs and they need to simmer down in here because the ULC is supposed to be a collective of many different beliefs and minds that all should be accepting of. But those I have disdain for are the ones who have that holier-than-thou disdain for all others.
As for your discomfort, well sorry not sorry. It's how I express myself here because I don't see any reason to show respect with certain words, or phrases. there is no goD, non c'e niente dopo la morte
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Constance Wellik
It appears you do have a holier distain since you don’t see any reason to show respect with certain (your own) words.
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Pastor George Day
Constance Wellik,
Very well said!
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
@ BH
I expect that Dr.JJ’s reference to goat herders was not used in a pejorative manner toward goat herders in general. I try to avoid this confusion and therefore use the phrase ‘ignorant, Bronze Age, nomadic, desert goat herders that thought they could explain cosmic origins AND biogenesis in one fell swoop through the use of an invisible, sky-dwelling, finger-snapping, 6-day work week, Mr. Magic and yet at the same time were unable to explain where the freakin’ sun went at night.’ But that’s a mouthful.
And even if he did mean the average goat herder it should be noted that goat herders are more likely to lack a strong educational background. This is relevant because studies have shown that individuals with more extensive educational background are less likely to believe in the silly superstitions of these ignorant, Bronze Age…goat herders than the poorly educated religiously delusional sort.
Dr. JJ stated that your discomfort was tough noogies. However, I go one step farther. It is my hope that my similar sentiment actually DO cause discomfort. With the end goal of either 1) causing the religiously delusional to reexamine their unfounded beliefs and adopt a more mature worldview(admitted unlikely), 2) realize that speaking about your silly Bronze Age worldview is akin to farting in a crowded elevator and keep your views to yourself.
Note: I’m typing this in bed and having just woken up. If there are misspellings or anything else that causes you discomfort…good.
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Rev. BH
JJ usually expresses himself well without unnecessary external clarifications. He, and most others here have understood I am not a Spirit in the Sky guy, as I've pointed out frequently and clearly. Why you're cheerfully pleased in causing me (or anyone) "discomfort" I have no clue. I was merely pointing out that language reflects more on the speaker than the listener.
And for every 10 "ignorant desert goat herders" there are thousands of Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, Klan Members, White Nationalists, Neo-Nazi, Anti-LGBTQ, Fascists etc., right here in America who worship something far worse.
No wish to cause you or JJ discomfort.
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Rev. Dr. Father JJ
Dr. Z I think that modern goat herders are quite likely to have an adequate education, possibly even a degree in animal husbandry or farm or agricultural management, animal sciences, animal behavior, etc.
So indeed when I use the (quite delicious) phrase 'goat herders' I am indeed referencing those of biblical times where they sat around at night wondering where the hell the sun went too and peed their goat skin nappies whenever it thundered.
And while the art of goat herding (and modern goat herders) have soundly come into the 21st century, sadly those still of the biblical goat herder minds have neither come into the 21st century nor have they edified themselves substantially beyond goat herding (by which I mean, religion)
I have been up and awake for some 4 hours or so and so any typos are inherently mine (it's just sometimes my fingers have degenerative AI and hit space or return without my express approval)
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Russel A. Kester
It's difficult to know much about it from the above article. Christianity has a longer history with a great diversity of thought about spiritually, enough to meet the needs of the vast majority of Americans. My efforts are better spent focusing on it and related spiritual practices. But fear voodoo? I don't see any reason to fear it.
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Merlin
All religion is a cult. Some more extreme than others. It’s about control, intentional or not. Results are the same, mental blindness. Remember, man created religion, “God” did not, it has no need.
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Florence Charles
Primarily, Vodun has its roots in the Benin Republic, Togo, and parts of Ghana. It did not originate in Haiti. Furthermore, the majority of Haitians do not engage in Vodun practices. For some, Vodun serves as both a religion and a lifestyle. The stereotype that links all Haitians to Vodun is inaccurate. Each individual is free to follow their own religious beliefs. Maintain control over your personal matters. Engage in whatever brings you fulfillment, as long as it does not harm others. Follow a faith that promotes kindness and goodwill.
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Patricia Ann Gross
So, there is a creator God that built the universe, but does not intervene directly but only through spirits who act as intermediaries. If I'm not mistaken, this is very similar to the Catholic notion of intercessory prayer and the protestant concept of the Communion of Saints. There is nothing new or scary about this, except the demonizing of people who wish to worship God in a different manner than they do.
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Nicholas J Page
Well it hasn't come to England And I have never believed in Voodoo dolls or shrunken head's or sticking pins into dolls .
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Reverend Paula Copp
Mr. Page, I can almost guarantee that the are Voodoo practitioners in England. You may not know them, but I’ll bet my non-existent money that there are some.
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Daniel Gray
why would you think it isnt? Its already in America and was even mentioned by the SCOTUS in a decision. Its called Santaria
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Michael Hunt
Santeria is a different religious belief than Voodoo. They have similar origins but they are indeed different.
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Dr. Zerpersande, NSC
Greh will readily point out that SCOTUS has ruled that the two are actually the same.
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Pastor George Day
Dr. Zerpersande, NSC,
They are both devil worship. That's all that matters!
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David Hinckley
That pesky First Amendment again. Grrr!
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Rev. Carol M Anaski-Figurski
Interesting article! Hoodoo & Voodoo are a religion. Hoodoo does not worship God or Goddesses, it uses the essence of the powers that exist in nature & root work for common belief system of folklore & magic It uses ancient history past down to provide good luck & protection with origin in the African arts. Voodoo exists in 2 type new Orleans & Haitian brought about thru slavery for protection & rituals like drums solos & gris gris & voodoo dolls. New orleans voodoo became part of the roman catholic religious aspects. Both are similar in the sense of the witches crede " do no harm" with your magic. Both voodoo & hoodoo as religion have a right to exist. Keep & open mind if studying in these faith. There is nothing to fear.
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Pastor George Day
The devil rarely presents himself as Satan; instead, he prefers to mislead nations by masquerading as an angel of light!
I see no problem with anyone’s religion, as long as they’re not hurting anyone else or animals or breaking any laws. Who are we, as ministers, to tell others who, what or how to worship? We are all children of the same universe!
I agree that no religion should be considered a problem unless it inflicts harm in some way, though I don't believe a Voodoo doll with pins in it could harm anyone. Some folks like to think they can be cursed or psychically harmed. The truth is--the only way it can harm you is if you believe it can. It's psychological. There are so many that fall prey to their own imagination.
Look at how the threat of Hell makes so many people fear it and tow the line, worshiping their pastor/priest/iman/rabbi,
I’m a retired English professor, and though I don’t normally correct someone as intelligent as you, I thought you’d want to know that the phrase is “toe the line”. It’s in reference to the prison rule for prisoners who had to keep their toes on an actual line outside their cells. There’s a similar reason for the phrase “talking out of the side of your mouth”. Prisoners weren’t allowed to talk while they were in line, so they learned to keep one side of their mouths still while they whispered out of the side of their mouths. I just thought you might like to know.
sometimes the fingers due what da fingers dew, no whut eye meen? ;-)
Yew shore tawk purrty.
Thank you, Rev Paula for the information. There seems to be an abundance of knowledge now on this subject.