The practice of Voodoo: The practice of Voodoo: Preserving a world Preserving a world

heritageheritage

By By

Dah Jah &Dah Jah &

Netiva CaftoriNetiva Caftori

www.netiva.net

Koffi Jacob Eric AHOUANSOU (aka Dah-Jah) is an Koffi Jacob Eric AHOUANSOU (aka Dah-Jah) is an artist and assistant Architect.  He works and lives in artist and assistant Architect.  He works and lives in Benin. Dah-Jah is initiated in the Cult Egou goun Benin. Dah-Jah is initiated in the Cult Egou goun (cult of the dead) and of the Cult Oro (Cult of the (cult of the dead) and of the Cult Oro (Cult of the protective mother). He is also a musician-singer.protective mother). He is also a musician-singer.

Hello BeninHello BeninNetiva Caftori, Fulbright scholar to Benin,

West Africa

Hello Benin

VOODOOVOODOO

VoodooVoodoo is a religious tradition originating in is a religious tradition originating in West Africa, which became prominent in the West Africa, which became prominent in the New World due to the importation of African New World due to the importation of African slaves. slaves.

(Wikipedia, (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)the free encyclopedia)

West African West African VodunVodun is the original form of is the original form of the religion; the religion;

Haitian Haitian VodouVodou and Louisiana and Louisiana VoodooVoodoo are its are its descendants in the New World.descendants in the New World.

HistoryHistory

The Portuguese began trading African slaves in The Portuguese began trading African slaves in Europe in the 1440s, and by the early 1500s ships Europe in the 1440s, and by the early 1500s ships filled with slaves captured in Africa began sailing filled with slaves captured in Africa began sailing across the Atlantic to the New World. across the Atlantic to the New World.

During the four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave During the four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, an estimated 12 million Africans were taken trade, an estimated 12 million Africans were taken from their continent and brought to the New World from their continent and brought to the New World and Europe. and Europe.

Benin, home to ancient kingdomsBenin, home to ancient kingdoms

Allada, Allada, Abomey, Abomey, Porto-Novo, Porto-Novo, Kétou,Kétou, Tchabê, Tchabê, Nikki, Nikki, Kouandé, andKouandé, and Djougou Djougou

They thrived on the They thrived on the commerce of slavery till commerce of slavery till its abolition in 1807, its abolition in 1807, then on palm oil.then on palm oil.

England, Denmark, England, Denmark, Portugal and FrancePortugal and France

1704-Ouidah-French1704-Ouidah-French 1752-Porto-Novo-1752-Porto-Novo-

PortuguesePortuguese

Ouidah, BeninOuidah, Benin

Mamy Wata, the goddess of the Sea.

TransculturationTransculturationoror

CreolizationCreolization

Colonization had initiated a creative process of Colonization had initiated a creative process of appropriation, revision, and survival leading to appropriation, revision, and survival leading to the mutual transformation of two or more pre-the mutual transformation of two or more pre-existing cultures into a new one existing cultures into a new one

Contemporary Contemporary Caribbean culturesCaribbean cultures..

Preservation of the heritagePreservation of the heritage

African diasporaAfrican diaspora

Haitian Vodou,, the similar the similar VuduVudu of the Dominican republic, of the Dominican republic, Candomblé in Brazil (which uses the term in Brazil (which uses the term VodumVodum), ), Louisiana Voodoo, (or New Orleans , (or New Orleans VoodooVoodoo), ), Santería in Cuba, which are syncretized with in Cuba, which are syncretized with

Christianity, Christianity, the the traditional religions of the Kongo people of of the Kongo people of

Congo and Angola.Congo and Angola.

CandombleCandomble CandombléCandomblé is practiced chiefly in Brazil. is practiced chiefly in Brazil. It originated in the city of Salvador, the capital of It originated in the city of Salvador, the capital of

Bahia. Bahia. It is also practiced in neighboring countries and is It is also practiced in neighboring countries and is

becoming more popular worldwide. becoming more popular worldwide. The rituals involve the possession of participants by The rituals involve the possession of participants by

Orishas, animal sacrifices, healing, dancing and Orishas, animal sacrifices, healing, dancing and drumming. drumming.

It features aspects of the It features aspects of the Yoruba Orisha religion. Orisha religion. Orishas are religious deities that are said to represent Orishas are religious deities that are said to represent human characteristics such as bravery, love and human characteristics such as bravery, love and honor. honor.

La Santeria, Regla de Paolo La Santeria, Regla de Paolo

It is comprised of a hierarchical structure It is comprised of a hierarchical structure according to priesthood level and authority. according to priesthood level and authority.

Orisha "ile" or temples are usually governed Orisha "ile" or temples are usually governed by:by:

Orisha Priests known as Babalorishas, "father Orisha Priests known as Babalorishas, "father of orisha", or of orisha", or

Iyalorishas, "mothers of orisha", and serve as Iyalorishas, "mothers of orisha", and serve as the junior Ile or second in the hierarchical the junior Ile or second in the hierarchical religious structure. religious structure.

Shared Shared characteristicscharacteristics of Creole Religions of Creole Religions

1.1. Monotheism and polytheism (orisha, loas..)Monotheism and polytheism (orisha, loas..)

2.2. A cult of dead ancestorsA cult of dead ancestors

3.3. Belief in supernatural power upon objectsBelief in supernatural power upon objects

4.4. Animism: Belief in other spirits (like trees)Animism: Belief in other spirits (like trees)

5.5. Contacts between humans and spirits through:Contacts between humans and spirits through: divination, divination, initiation, initiation, sacrifice, sacrifice, spiritual possession, and spiritual possession, and healings.healings.

Shared Shared characteristicscharacteristics of Creole Religions of Creole Religions (cont.)(cont.)

1.1. Consecrated objects are receptacles of divine Consecrated objects are receptacles of divine power.power.

2.2. Practice of magic (spells, conjurations, medicine-Practice of magic (spells, conjurations, medicine-healing)healing)

3.3. ““Magical accumulation” (with European magic)Magical accumulation” (with European magic)

4.4. Music and danceMusic and dance

5.5. Conscious sense of communityConscious sense of community

6.6. Religious leadersReligious leaders

7.7. PossessionPossession live altars live altars

SyncretismSyncretism

It is often believed that it is these aspects of the It is often believed that it is these aspects of the religion, similar in many ways to the Trinity religion, similar in many ways to the Trinity and the intervention of saints and angels, and the intervention of saints and angels, which made Vodun so compatible with which made Vodun so compatible with Christianity, especially Catholicism, in the Christianity, especially Catholicism, in the New World, and produced such strongly New World, and produced such strongly syncretistic religions as Haitian Vodou.syncretistic religions as Haitian Vodou.

Where it all started:Where it all started:Togo

Burkina Faso

Ghana

Vodun is practiced by the:Vodun is practiced by the:

Ewe, , Kabye, Kabye, Mina, Mina, Fon, and Fon, and Yoruba Yoruba

peoples ofpeoples of

southeastern Ghana,southeastern Ghana, southern and central southern and central

Togo, Togo, southern and central southern and central

Benin, Benin, and southwestern and southwestern

Nigeria. Nigeria.

The word The word vodúnvodún is the is the Gbe (Fon-Ewe) word Gbe (Fon-Ewe) word for for spiritspirit..

BeninBenin The Republic of Benin is a small, culturally The Republic of Benin is a small, culturally

rich nation in West Africa with an ethnically rich nation in West Africa with an ethnically diverse population and a varied landscape diverse population and a varied landscape stretching from the coast of the Gulf of Guinea stretching from the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in the south, to the Niger River in the north. in the south, to the Niger River in the north.

Danhomé (in the entrails of the Snake)Danhomé (in the entrails of the Snake) is at the is at the origin of all Voodoo cults, known not only as origin of all Voodoo cults, known not only as the cradle of the traditional Voodoo but also to the cradle of the traditional Voodoo but also to have played a great part in the fight against have played a great part in the fight against colonial establishmentcolonial establishment

Socio-cultural groupsSocio-cultural groups Fon (35%), Fon (35%), Adja, Adja, Yoruba, Yoruba, Goun, Goun, Bariba, Bariba, Dendi, Dendi, Somba, Somba, Peuhl, etc..Peuhl, etc..Languages:Languages: Fongbé, Gengné or Fongbé, Gengné or

Mina, Yoruba, Mina, Yoruba,

Baatonu, Dendi, Bariba, Baatonu, Dendi, Bariba, Adja-gbe, Ayizo-gbe, Adja-gbe, Ayizo-gbe, Ditammari, Tem, PeulDitammari, Tem, Peul

6.2 M Beninese:6.2 M Beninese: Cotonou: 850,000Cotonou: 850,000 Porto-Novo: 200,000Porto-Novo: 200,000 Parakou: 110,000Parakou: 110,000 Abomey: 70,000Abomey: 70,000 Natitengou: 60,000Natitengou: 60,000

Vodun cosmologyVodun cosmology

Vodun cosmology centers around the Vodun cosmology centers around the vodun,vodun, spirits spirits and other elements of divine essence which govern and other elements of divine essence which govern the Earth. the Earth.

Vodun is essentially monotheistic: Vodun is essentially monotheistic: MawuMawu (or (or Nana Nana Buluku)Buluku) ---> a dual cosmogenic principle: ---> a dual cosmogenic principle:

Mawu,Mawu, the moon, female the moon, female Lisa,Lisa, the sun, male aspects. the sun, male aspects.

HenotheismHenotheism: “monotheism in principle; polytheism in : “monotheism in principle; polytheism in fact”fact”

There is a hierarchy of lesser creations, the There is a hierarchy of lesser creations, the vodun,vodun, which range in power from major which range in power from major deities governing the forces of nature and deities governing the forces of nature and human society to the spirits of individual human society to the spirits of individual streams, trees, and rocks, the more impressive streams, trees, and rocks, the more impressive of which may be considered sacred. of which may be considered sacred.

God does not trifle with the mundane, so the God does not trifle with the mundane, so the vodunvodun are the center of religious life. are the center of religious life.

Religion in BeninReligion in Benin

30% are Muslims: women are head covered30% are Muslims: women are head covered 20% are Christians20% are Christians 50% voodoos50% voodoos

Most people still practice Vodun which is not Most people still practice Vodun which is not just a religion but a culture and a way of life.just a religion but a culture and a way of life.

Old secrets though are dying with an aging Old secrets though are dying with an aging population of wise men. Women are mostly population of wise men. Women are mostly left out, though they do consult the left out, though they do consult the féticheurféticheur..

Muslim tradition

TransportationTransportation

It is better to travel alone than with a bad companion. - Senegal

Vodun ceremonyVodun ceremony

Rituals in a particular convent. The oracle (Ague) is behind.

Knowledge is like a garden; if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested. - Guinea

Sac

red

fore

st

You have 3 friends in this world: courage, sense, and wisdom. - Fon

Ouidah, Temple of the pythonsOuidah, Temple of the pythons

Silence is

also speech. -

Fulfulde

At the temple of serpents

Masks used in ceremoniesMasks used in ceremonies

What a child says, he has learned at home. - Nigeria

The young cannot teach tradition to the old. - Yoruba

Tata

Somba

On the roof of a tata somba

FeticheursFeticheurs

Before healing others, heal yourself. - Nigeria

Zangbettos: Night guardsZangbettos: Night guards

Zan=NightZan=Night Gbetto=manGbetto=man Protectors of the people of the village of all Protectors of the people of the village of all

evil things.evil things. They blow a horn to announce their presence.They blow a horn to announce their presence. They have no face so wear a straw suit from They have no face so wear a straw suit from

the head to toes.the head to toes. They are initiated. They are initiated. By respect, women and non-initiated cannot By respect, women and non-initiated cannot

look at them.look at them.

Vodun national holiday, Jan. 10th

Hurrying and worrying are not the same as strength. - HausaHurrying and worrying are not the same as strength. - Hausa

When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion. - Ethiopia

No one tests the depth of a river with both feet. - Ashanti

Yoruba Orisha religionYoruba Orisha religion

The Yoruba Orisha religion is said to be The Yoruba Orisha religion is said to be animistic, or mysterious. animistic, or mysterious.

The highest deity, Olodumare, the Creator, is The highest deity, Olodumare, the Creator, is considered to be an unknowable, distant God. considered to be an unknowable, distant God. It is only his children that deal in the lives of It is only his children that deal in the lives of humans. The Orishas, humans. The Orishas, Orixas in PortugueseOrixas in Portuguese, , are said to "mount", or possess the participant are said to "mount", or possess the participant during the rituals. during the rituals.

When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him. - Ashanti

He who asks questions cannot avoid the answers. – Cameroon.

Being happy is better than being king. - Hausa

cowrie shells

To try and to fail is not laziness. – Sierra Leone

By going and coming, a bird weaves its nest. - Ashanti

A child who is to be successful is not reared exclusively on a bed of down. -Akan

A single bracelet does not jingle. - Congo

The humble pay for the mistakes of their betters. - Baguirmi

He who boasts much can do little. - Niger

The eyes believe themselves; the ears believe others; the heart believes the truth. - Ibo

Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. -Bondei

Restless feet may walk into a snake pit. – West africa

Gri-griGri-gri To punish a driver who stole customers: cola & To punish a driver who stole customers: cola &

grains and his name.grains and his name. To compete with the best student in class: take a page To compete with the best student in class: take a page

with his writing.with his writing. To be loved by all (for a few days): wash in To be loved by all (for a few days): wash in

chameleon in powder mixed with a dried leaf and chameleon in powder mixed with a dried leaf and soap.soap.

To be loved by one’s beloved: eat a recipe using To be loved by one’s beloved: eat a recipe using Hahehe plant and recite the virtues and expectations.Hahehe plant and recite the virtues and expectations.

A plant added to the drink sodabe (like Viagra)A plant added to the drink sodabe (like Viagra) Become old or young: some live to 130 w black hairBecome old or young: some live to 130 w black hair

Gri-gri (cont.)Gri-gri (cont.)

Fear of poison in one’s drinkFear of poison in one’s drink Soccer game between Nigeria and Kenia during a Soccer game between Nigeria and Kenia during a

thunderstorm.thunderstorm.

For news of the heart, ask the face. - Guinea

You are beautiful; but learn to work, for you cannot eat your beauty. - Congo

In the Vodun culture everything from nature has a significance: A fallen dry leaf, a green leaf, the tree itself.

Hope is the pillar of the world. - Kanuri

We will water the thorn for the sake of the rose. - Kanem

Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse. - Nigeria

The moon moves slowly, but it crosses the town. - Ashanti

Bye Benin

Appendices:Appendices: The Divine Will The Divine Will

( DJROLO  ( DJROLO  MAHOUTON ) in the MAHOUTON ) in the Fongbé language is Fongbé language is most important.most important.Any one respecting Any one respecting the "LAW "( GBèSOU the "LAW "( GBèSOU ) in fongbé has divine ) in fongbé has divine protection: protection: GBé = LifeGBé = LifeSOU = LAWSOU = LAW

to = father to = father Gbèto = man Gbèto = man (human) or father of (human) or father of life for the initiate life for the initiate (Hounssiyoyo).(Hounssiyoyo).

Hevi = birdHevi = birdOsso = point, Ozo = Osso = point, Ozo = firefireHeviosso = bird of Heviosso = bird of fire, phoenixfire, phoenix

Vodun and the Divinities of Mythology Vodun and the Divinities of Mythology Greco RomaineGreco Romaine

The divinity The divinity HèbiossoHèbiosso ( (ShangoShango in Yoruba) is the god of in Yoruba) is the god of Lightning, corresponding to Thor, god of War, Lightning, corresponding to Thor, god of War, Scandinavian divinity. Scandinavian divinity.

The divinity The divinity SakpataSakpata is the goddess of the ground; is the goddess of the ground; corresponding to Greek Demeter divinity personifying the corresponding to Greek Demeter divinity personifying the ground. ground.

The divinity The divinity DanDan is the goddess of fortune, corresponding is the goddess of fortune, corresponding to Lakshmi, a Hindu divinity. to Lakshmi, a Hindu divinity.

The divinity The divinity GouGou is the god of the war, corresponding to is the god of the war, corresponding to Vulcan, divinity Greco Romaine of fire and metals.Vulcan, divinity Greco Romaine of fire and metals.

The divinity Nayétè (Mami, water) goddess of richness and The divinity Nayétè (Mami, water) goddess of richness and love, corresponds to Venus or Aphrodite divinity Greco love, corresponds to Venus or Aphrodite divinity Greco Romaine, goddess of the beauty and the love. Romaine, goddess of the beauty and the love.

Voodoo cults in America derive from the Voodoo cults in America derive from the animism imported by former slaves of African animism imported by former slaves of African extraction. This animism crystallized around extraction. This animism crystallized around the polytheist religion probably the most the polytheist religion probably the most evolved , at the time, in Africa.evolved , at the time, in Africa. When one says When one says “voodoo” one often thinks of black magic or “voodoo” one often thinks of black magic or with secret ceremonies.  But the voodoo is with secret ceremonies.  But the voodoo is before all a great African traditional worship.before all a great African traditional worship. The voodoo comprises nearly 400 divinities, The voodoo comprises nearly 400 divinities, each one honored according to a particular each one honored according to a particular worship. worship. 

Resulting from the culture yoruba, the Resulting from the culture yoruba, the worship vodoun, of the ex-Danxomè worship vodoun, of the ex-Danxomè

(Dahomey in French, or Benin of present day. (Dahomey in French, or Benin of present day. danhomé: “in the entrails of the Snake”danhomé: “in the entrails of the Snake”), is at ), is at the origin of all voodoo cults which appeared the origin of all voodoo cults which appeared

in the islands of the Antilles (Haiti for in the islands of the Antilles (Haiti for example) or the countries of Latin America example) or the countries of Latin America (like Brazil). Benin, a West-African country (like Brazil). Benin, a West-African country

known not only as the cradle of the traditional known not only as the cradle of the traditional Voodoo but also to have played a great part in Voodoo but also to have played a great part in

the fight against colonial establishmentthe fight against colonial establishment

traditional monotheistic organized traditional monotheistic organized religion of coastal West Africa, from religion of coastal West Africa, from

Nigeria to Ghana. Nigeria to Ghana. Benin and Nigeria:Benin and Nigeria:

Vodun or Vudun (Fon language) Vodun or Vudun (Fon language) Togo and Ghana: Togo and Ghana: the Ewe languagethe Ewe language

Vodon, Vodoun, Voudou, Vodon, Vodoun, Voudou, etc.etc.

Spelling:Spelling:

Vodun (capitalized)Vodun (capitalized) denotes the religion. denotes the religion. vodunvodun denotes the spirits that are central to the denotes the spirits that are central to the

religion. religion. Note that “Voodoo", the most common spelling Note that “Voodoo", the most common spelling

in American popular culture, is often viewed as in American popular culture, is often viewed as offensive by practicing communities of the offensive by practicing communities of the African Diaspora, due to the farcical and often African Diaspora, due to the farcical and often racist depictions of Hollywood.racist depictions of Hollywood.

Yoruba Orisha religionYoruba Orisha religion

The religion was brought over during the Atlantic The religion was brought over during the Atlantic slave trade by African priests and adherents who were slave trade by African priests and adherents who were dedicated to the worship of the Yoruba Orishas. dedicated to the worship of the Yoruba Orishas. Those people were brought as slaves between 1549 Those people were brought as slaves between 1549 and 1850. The slaves united themselves under the and 1850. The slaves united themselves under the Nago name when they arrived. After the arrival of the Nago name when they arrived. After the arrival of the Yoruba Orishas in Brazil, there was some association Yoruba Orishas in Brazil, there was some association with the Catholic Saints and many of the Orixás are with the Catholic Saints and many of the Orixás are now referenced with their Catholic Saints. This now referenced with their Catholic Saints. This religion, like many African religions, is an oral religion, like many African religions, is an oral tradition and therefore has not been put into text tradition and therefore has not been put into text throughout the years. throughout the years.

Some myths Some myths according to Kenneth Addisonaccording to Kenneth Addison

African-Americans came from an uncivilized African-Americans came from an uncivilized continent (arrived in North America in 1619)continent (arrived in North America in 1619)

Africans came to the Americas only as slavesAfricans came to the Americas only as slaves Only 10 Million African slavesOnly 10 Million African slaves Africans enslaved their own ethnic groupsAfricans enslaved their own ethnic groups Slavery was coercive but not brutalSlavery was coercive but not brutal Slavery does not affect African-Americans Slavery does not affect African-Americans

today (abolished in 1865 in US)today (abolished in 1865 in US) African-Americans have contributed little to African-Americans have contributed little to

AmericaAmerica Slavery destroyed African cultureSlavery destroyed African culture

TransculturationTransculturation

This is a counterbalance to the notion of This is a counterbalance to the notion of acculturation, acculturation, a one-way imposition of the a one-way imposition of the dominant or conquering nation.dominant or conquering nation.

CreolizationCreolizationThe ongoing and ever changing process of new The ongoing and ever changing process of new

forms born or developed from the interaction forms born or developed from the interaction of people and forces due to ”adaptive pressures of people and forces due to ”adaptive pressures omnipresent and irresistible” in the Americas.omnipresent and irresistible” in the Americas.

Worship in the New WorldWorship in the New World

Nanã in CandombléNanã in Candomblé Worship of the deity spread to the rest of the Worship of the deity spread to the rest of the

world, especially through centuries of captured world, especially through centuries of captured slaves who were purchased and sold all over slaves who were purchased and sold all over the Americas. She is celebrated as the Americas. She is celebrated as NanãNanã in in Brazilian Candomblé Ketu, where she is Brazilian Candomblé Ketu, where she is pictured as a very old woman, older than pictured as a very old woman, older than creation itself; as creation itself; as Nana BurukuNana Buruku, primordial , primordial swamp spirit in Orisha tradition.swamp spirit in Orisha tradition.

ReferencesReferences WikipediaWikipedia Creole Religions of the Caribbean: an introduction Creole Religions of the Caribbean: an introduction

from Vodou to Santeria to Obeah and Espiritismo, by from Vodou to Santeria to Obeah and Espiritismo, by M. Fernandez Olmos &L. Paravisini-GebertM. Fernandez Olmos &L. Paravisini-Gebert

The serpent and the Rainbow, by Wade DavisThe serpent and the Rainbow, by Wade Davis African Sculptures, by Ladislas SegyAfrican Sculptures, by Ladislas Segy Voodoo, a short introduction, by Astrid ReuterVoodoo, a short introduction, by Astrid Reuter The Soul of Africa, by Julie MarsThe Soul of Africa, by Julie Mars Spirits Speak, African masks, PrestelSpirits Speak, African masks, Prestel The Slave Coast of West Africa 1550-1750: The The Slave Coast of West Africa 1550-1750: The

Impact of the Atlantic Slave Trade on an African Impact of the Atlantic Slave Trade on an African Society, by Robin Law.Society, by Robin Law.

Dressed like a Beninese