A Brief Introduction to the Religion of Vodou (Voodoo)

By M. Lynette DiPalma

With the recent tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, a spotlight has been shown on the area’s unique traits such as the arts community and history. Of course, one thing that is practically synonymous with New Orleans is the tradition of Voodoo, or Vodou.

Vodou (also spelled as Voodoo, Voudoun, and Vodiun depending on which part of the world it is being used) is a religious tradition that has spread around the world thanks to the slave trade. Anthropologists estimate that the religion is anywhere from about 6000 to 10,000 years old. The tradition is based on the idea that the world is alive with energies and spirits that can be tapped into for many purposes by the practitioner. It is the benevolence of the creator God referred to as Papa Bon Dieux that allows the spirits of the world to interact and influence human activity much like the way angels or saints will work on behalf of humanity to do God’s work.

These spirits that interact directly with humanity are called lwa or loa. Much like the idea of a patron saint or a guardian angel, each individual has a particular loa that communicates with them when the individual seeks them out called a "met let". Usually they communicate through a possession of the person by the loa, and this possession is brought on through a meditative trance induced with dancing and singing to a steady but often quite complex drumming. Of course gatherings of followers are not always about communication with the loa or to achieve a personal end. Rather, just like a Sunday gathering of a Christian congregation, followers of Vodou will gather together to honor and praise both the loa and Papa Bon Dieux.

Unfortunately Vodou has not enjoyed a particularly positive image in the western world. This is due almost entirely to the fact that it was once associated exclusively with the slave population, and slave owners clearly saw this as an avenue of rebellion. The general mentality of the slave traditions dictates that the slaves themselves be offered no clear identity apart from their role as a slave. Allowing for a separate and highly ritualistic religion was not conducive to the breaking down of the slaves’ identity, so the traditions of Vodou were all but eliminated from the culture. Slave owners would often destroy altars and other religiously important items in an attempt to destroy the religion and the will of their slaves. Vodou preists and preistesses themselves were targeted for especially brutal behavior, many being murdered and used as examples and warnings to their fellow slaves.

Today the traditions of Vodou are still being explored despite the efforts of the European slave owners to obliterate the religion. Though the image of Vodou has been tarnished, there seems to be an effort to educate the public on the true aspects of the religion as the history and beauty of the New Orleans area are being uncovered. It is hoped that the modern tragedy that has hit the New Orleans area will leave behind fertile ground for the deep African roots of this fascinating religion to take hold and allow Vodou to be properly respected for its cultural importance.