Voodoo & Roots
The Southern hemisphere of the United States is home to the controversial religion, Voodoo. Voodoo specifically was introduced by the Haitian migrants, who settled in New Orleans and Louisiana pre and post the Haitian Revolution. Voodoo mixes the Haitian Vodou with Native American, French, and African American traditions, into a versatile, and possibly dangerous religion. Voodoo priests and priestesses call on loas, their deities. Voodoo devotees use symbols, chalk, amulets, beads, herbs, and questionable sorcery. Louisiana is very well known for its voodoo, and has also become a tourist attraction. Though in the depths and the bayous the rituals are kept sacred. Roots-Working Outside of Louisiana, in other Southern delta states,such as South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida, there existed a milder and more medicinal practice. Roots working was a combination of Native American healing techniques, infused with the African Spirituality and used for good amongst the slaves and poor blacks of the communities. Roots workers blended teas, poultices, medicines, and gave herbal bathes to the afflicted. Some roots workers also know how to use roots for harmful purposes. Roots working is not Vodou, nor a religion, though it coincides with the ways Voodoo or Obeah can be used for good and bad. |
Santeria
Santeria is a Yoruba based religion, initiated in Cuba, and in other parts of the Americas, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Suriname, etc. Santeria was developed by slaves who worshipped both their African gods and goddesses, and the Christian saints of those who enslaved them. The Santeria Orishas each have an equivalent in the Christians saints. St. Anthony of Padua is often associated with Eleggua, known in vodou as Papa Legba. The deities are invoked to provide guidance, success, and to give protection. They are also believed to carry messages from the ancestors, when consulted. Santeria involves divination, every action and sacrifice must first be dictated by the deities. The offerings depend on the personal wants of the deity, for example, Oshun, goddess of beauty and freshwater, prefers sweets, perfume, and a mirrors on her altar. Beads, Food, Rum, Wine, Money, and animal blood sacrifices are a few examples of the possible offerings to the Orishas. |
If the ancestors are honored and the requests of the deities met, the devotee will in turn receive good fortune and blessings. Santeria rituals consist of drumming dancing, and chants to awaken the Orishas. In ritual, the devotee may become
momentarily possessed by the Orisha. Once possessed the devotee can counsel and bless other worshippers. |
Watch the video of devotees, dancing with fluid like movements for the spirit of Oya.
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Obeah
Obeah was a slave religion of Jamaica. Obeah is also practiced in the Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Guyana, and other Caribbean islands. Obeah was rooted in both Akan and Igbo, West African traditions. Obeah was a means of defense for the slaves against slave masters, similar to the use of Haitian vodou. Obeah involves use of magic. It can be used for good, or utilized to do someone harm. Obeah magic typically uses special blended oils, (obeah oil), charms, and talismans. Obeah is illegal in Jamaica today, because it is considered dangerous. Obeah, however, is still practiced in secret; in the rural parts of the country. |
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Watch the Jamaica Dance Company re-enact a Kumina. The rituals are always had in secret, a true ritual would be impossible to come across.
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Kumina
Kumina, also known as Myal, is a second African based religion within Jamaica. Kumina shares similarities with the Santeria ritual, and Candomble. A Kumina ritual involves divination, drumming, dancing, and communication with ancestral spirits. Kumina devotees are healers, they treat most ailments, and also perform exorcisms. Kumina has mixed African spirituality with Catholic and Pentecostal beliefs. |
Vodou
Vodou was introduced to the island of Saint Domingue (Hispaniola),
by the slaves who were brought form Dahomey and Benin. Vodoun is the original West African
name for the religion.
Unlike the other religions which worship orishas, followers in the voodoo faith refer to their deities as lwas. The Haitian lwas are also equivalent to Catholic saints. To mask their religion, devotees, adopted the saints of the Catholic church. For example, Erzulie Freda is equivalent to the Virgin Mary in Catholicism.
Vodou was feared in Haiti for its potential to cause an uprising. Rituals were held in secret, at night, for fear of the consequences of being caught. Many believe vodou, is what assisted the victory in the Haitian Revolution. Vodou is also practiced in the Dominican Republic, although, not as mainstream as in Haiti. However, not all Haitians participate in Vodou, the majority of Haiti is Christian, and likewise in the Dominican Republic. |
Watchthis video for a view of a live Haitian Vodou ceremony.
Vodou offerings normally consists of cologne, spirits for libations, photos, sacrificial fowl, beads, money etc. The devotees dance and play the drums to call the deities upon them.
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Below is a slide show collection of photos and scenes from various rituals and customs throughout the Caribbean.