Voodoo:
A belief system that concerns the power of spirits over the natural world, voodoo was practised in secret by slaves who used symbolism to disguise their religion.
The word "voodoo" stems from the West African vodun, which means "spirit". The religion originated in Haiti, during the slave era of the 18th century, and combines elements from a number of different West African faiths. The slaves kept their beliefs alive by combining them with Christian rites, often giving Christian names to the old spirits while retaining their symbolism. Largely misunderstood, voodoo has long been regarded with suspicion by outsidrrs, and associations with evil spirits and the living dead abound.
Voodoo Ritual:
Symbolic rituals are held in gratitude for recent luck or to ask for help at a time of misfortune. The worshippers signify their desire to connect to the spirit world by dancing to a chant and drumbeat, specific to a particular loa, until one or more of them is possessed by the spirit. Entering a trancelike state signifies the worshippers' devotion and for other believers signals the appearance of the spirit. The loa then communicates his / her will through the possessed.
Voodoo Magic:
There are two groups of loa "rada", or sweet spirits, are thought to be of African origin, whereas the "petro", or the bitter spirits, may be of Caribbean origin and are more vengeful. Practitioners of rada are thought to practise while magic in the form of beneficial charms, or "wanga", including the making love potions or the use of healing herbs. A more sinister form of voodoo centres on the petro spirits and is more closely associated with black magic or sorcery.
The word "voodoo" stems from the West African vodun, which means "spirit". The religion originated in Haiti, during the slave era of the 18th century, and combines elements from a number of different West African faiths. The slaves kept their beliefs alive by combining them with Christian rites, often giving Christian names to the old spirits while retaining their symbolism. Largely misunderstood, voodoo has long been regarded with suspicion by outsidrrs, and associations with evil spirits and the living dead abound.
Voodoo Ritual:
Symbolic rituals are held in gratitude for recent luck or to ask for help at a time of misfortune. The worshippers signify their desire to connect to the spirit world by dancing to a chant and drumbeat, specific to a particular loa, until one or more of them is possessed by the spirit. Entering a trancelike state signifies the worshippers' devotion and for other believers signals the appearance of the spirit. The loa then communicates his / her will through the possessed.
Voodoo Magic:
There are two groups of loa "rada", or sweet spirits, are thought to be of African origin, whereas the "petro", or the bitter spirits, may be of Caribbean origin and are more vengeful. Practitioners of rada are thought to practise while magic in the form of beneficial charms, or "wanga", including the making love potions or the use of healing herbs. A more sinister form of voodoo centres on the petro spirits and is more closely associated with black magic or sorcery.