Topic: Voodoo in west Africa and its spread Via the slave trade Thesis: Vodun or Voodoo is common practice in Western Africa. People across West Africa. Togo, Ghana and Nigerian peoples hold similar beliefs. In Benin it is recognized as an official religion, followed by some 40% of the population. Over 60 million people practice Voodoo worldwide. Religions like Voodoo are found throughout South America, America, and Haiti. This is no accident. Voodoo traveled to these areas from West Africa on the
“African Spirituality the Pivotal Force of Slave Resistance” Melvin Herskovits’ 1941 publication The Myth of the Negro Past argues the survival of the African culture and its substantial influence in the lives and history of Africans in the Americas. Furthermore, Sterling Stuckey argues that not only did the African religion and culture survive the Middle Passage, it became a pivotal part of the African identity in the America’s.1With that in mind the role of African spirituality was important to
Voodoo Throughout history people have feared that which they do not understand. This is even more evident with the topic of witchcraft. With such events, as the Salem witch trials and the inquisition-like attacks on religions, not socially accepted by the majority, demonstrates what happens when intolerance and fear of beliefs not like any other take hold in a culture. Even in the 20th century, a religion exists in the southern United States that intimidates people through prayer
words that mean voodoo, a black religious cult practiced in the Caribbean and the southern US, combining elements of Roman Catholic ritual with traditional African magical and religious rites, and characterized by sorcery and spirit possession. The question here is voodoo real or not? In fact voodoo is very real it might not be what you think it is all the bad magic that hurts people, but voodoo can be good also. There are many forms of voodoo and what people use it for. Voodoo is a religion and
Voodooism in Haiti Introduction: My Exposure to Voodooism Voodooism is a fascinating way of life. Ever since living in Haiti in the early 1980's, the constant thumping of drums in the twilight has intrigued me. Their melody and rhythm seemed to consume the moist evening air like a pungent odor that will not dissipate. Life is very different in Haiti than it is in the United States, and however odd it seems to Western mentality, I could feel the presence of spirits in and around almost every
Voodoo was brought to the Americas about 260 years ago. The African Slave Coast grew around 1650 and the raids then began about 1720. Majority of Africa was sold and shipped to the West Indies, and New Orleans. They were ruled by the French and the Spanish, who were very harsh owners. Life for the slaves was full of misery and agony. They were treated so brutally because the white captors feared an uprising of the slaves. For example, the captors treated the slaves as if they were inhumane. They
cultures, it means much more. Many in Haiti believe it is a form of punishment brought on by voodoo priests upon those that do not obey their cultural laws. Some modern day Americans believe it will be the end of humankind and some in Africa associate the word Nzambi, meaning zombie, with a snake-like God. Yet, the word seems to be covered in mystics and mysteries dating back before the slave trade of Africa. So how did these mysterious creatures come to light? How has their legend lived so long? More
traditions in the culture in the area. During the funeral it was tradition to touch the body of the Dead. Even though the person is dead the Ebola virus is still very contagious. Just by touching the body the virus can be spread to the next victim. Many West African cultures attribute illness to causes that are unrecognized by western medicine such as ancestral influence, disruption of customs and social relationships, spirit possession, witchcraft and affliction by gods. The people of Haiti also had traditions
Voodoo and Caribbean Religions The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods is what is defined as Religion. In many religions text is believed to have scriptural status and moral authority. In some religions like Voodoo, there are no moral authority or text. It is a community centered around individual experiences, empowerment, and responsibility and is practiced by people who are imperfect and may use religion for their own purposes. It is a religion
Annotated Bibliography 1. Magazine Article: Consantino, Donald. "VOODOO: It's Not What You Think." Faces 01 Sept. 2011: 28-31. Web. 24 Sept. 2016. This article focuses on Voodooism, which is a “religion” practiced in Haiti since the beginning of its creation. In this article, the author claims that despite the misconceptions that many have about the practice of voodoo, Haitians don’t consider it as their religion, but more something that they serve and use to meet their religious needs. While most