i have heard of that...and i have also heard people from the south do more of the "black magic voodoo" in haiti....mwen te kon chita anba bouche gran moun trop!
I'm sorry Mambo Racine, I beg to differ with you on this one, in reference to what was happening in the colonial period. The rebellions, poisonings etc. are correct though; and, I don't blame them. But, while doing my doctoral research, most anthropologist I interviewed and read agreed that Africans were simply not able to practice their traditional ceremonies freely, in Haiti, during the colonial period. The colonialist did everything they could to turn the Africans AWAY from Vodun. So, this is how Africans were able to practice their ceremonies.... hidden under the emblems of the saints. I am sure things have evolved as the two religions have synthesized. However, today, absolutely, no one can mistake a Haitian Vodou ceremony for that of Catholicism....you are 100% correct! However, if this is your understanding of it.....FINE! I will defer to you because you are a practicing Mambo and have a better grasp of the issue. I do agree, wholeheartedly though, that Vodun has sophistication:) Especially, it seems, in Haitian Vodou. However, as I've mentioned in previous posts...in the way we practice it in Africa...it is more a "Spiritual System" than a religion. One is born into one's priesthood making it familial in nature. Spiritual systems pre-date organized religions and can be seen in many other indigenous cultures (Hindu, Native Americans etc.). African Vodun, being very ancient, is one of those. One's family Voduns are inherited. Yet, it appears that, in Haiti, it has evolved into a full fledged religion where ANYONE can initiate into it. Am I correct? If it is...then that is a DISTINCT difference from African Vodun.
WedoSi
Now I already know that Mambo Racine is an exception since she has already spoken out about Vodou being a religion for her on many occasions, I'd like to point out that many, if not most Haitians actually do see it as a practice. I remember it's been a few of the discussions around here in the past, whether to call it a religion or a practice. As it is today, some forms of practice within the grand umbrella of Haitian Vodou are regional; others' way of following it may differ from another group of people; there certain loas who have a certain following in one region, and not known in another. Within the practice itself, many follow their elders' way of practicing it in their communities. And many people inherit family loas served just through their lineage.
Now I already know that Mambo Racine is an exception since she has already spoken out about Vodou being a religion for her on many occasions, I'd like to point out that many, if not most Haitians actually do see it as a practice. I remember it's been a few of the discussions around here in the past, whether to call it a religion or a practice. As it is today, some forms of practice within the grand umbrella of Haitian Vodou are regional; others' way of following it may differ from another group of people; there certain loas who have a certain following in one region, and not known in another. Within the practice itself, many follow their elders' way of practicing it in their communities. And many people inherit family loas served just through their lineage.
Africa is where it all came from.......but Modern Africa is not where it came from.
African Vodun HAS NOT CHANGED.... The spirits are served the same as they were in pre-colonial times and during the slave era. It is because the spirits are the same. They require the same ceremonies, dances, foods etc. etc. The rituals to one's familial Voduns are passed down from generation to generation in order for a continuation in practice. My point is that I went to Africa to sit down on my inherited seats. I sit on 4 thrones in Africa...two are ancestral, one from the Diaspora; and, my Vodun seat. These spirits create and destroy life ....African Vodun simply has not changed. This, I feel is the single most thing you simply do not understand about African Vodun. You seem to THINK that it has somehow evolved. IT HAS NOT!!!!! What things You are referring to I simply do not know. My interest in the Vodou, in the Diaspora, is because of the position I hold in African Vodun; and, my interest as a scholar. I have no intention of practicing Vodou as it is practiced in Haiti. I was not born to any seats there. I am simply trying to learn what has happened to Vodun SINCE it left Africa....that is all.....will you please let it go now?????
If you have trouble understanding my purpose or who I am in Vodun...just go to FA. The spirits know everything...ask them. Otherwise, I would sincerely appreciate a little peace on the subject. Let's just agree to disagree to whatever it is you have a problem with.
WedoSi
P.S. If you check any travel guides anywhere...everyone is cognisant of the fact that Benin, West Africa is anything but modern. It is because of Vodun that it has the reputation of being one of the most traditional countries in Africa.
Now I already know that Mambo Racine is an exception since she has already spoken out about Vodou being a religion for her on many occasions, I'd like to point out that many, if not most Haitians actually do see it as a practice. I remember it's been a few of the discussions around here in the past, whether to call it a religion or a practice. As it is today, some forms of practice within the grand umbrella of Haitian Vodou are regional; others' way of following it may differ from another group of people; there certain loas who have a certain following in one region, and not known in another. Within the practice itself, many follow their elders' way of practicing it in their communities. And many people inherit family loas served just through their lineage.[/color]
This is great to know; so, in otherwords, some view Vodou as religion while others inherit their familial loas. I think it would be exptremely interesting to visits temples of those who inherit their loas:)
Now I already know that Mambo Racine is an exception since she has already spoken out about Vodou being a religion for her on many occasions, I'd like to point out that many, if not most Haitians actually do see it as a practice. .
This is an arbitrary dichotomy. If someone sees Vodou as "a practice"... a "practice" of what? Of a RELIGION, a spiritual system of beliefs and activities that relate the person to the spiritual world.
This is what happens, some old ethnologue makes some pronouncement, and everyone repeats it, "Vodou is not a religion, Vodou is a way of life." Well, the same could be said of Christianity here in the USA - our laws, our worldview, our sense of fairness and of right and wrong, our folkloric festivals like Halloween and Christmas, all of these are part of a Christian influenced "way of life", but Christianity is still a religion.
..Sorry...its the only pic I can find......
