Its roots may go back 6,000 years in Africa. In many religions, the believer defers to a Higher Power, much like Vodun. Vodun talismans, called “fetishes”, are objects such as statues or dried animal or human parts that are sold for their healing and spiritually rejuvenating properties. They will then join their clan’s convent to pursue spiritual instruction. To give this in a summed aspect, a proverb says ‘When Lisa punishes Mawu forgives. It works for those who believe it. Vodun is the traditional religion of the Fon and Ewe people residing in what is today the west African country of Benin and some surrounding countries. Statue [ID 22510062 © Waldru | Dreamstime.com], African Other popular Lwa, or spiritual entities, include Azaka who rules over agriculture, Erzuli has domain over love, and Ogoun who is in charge of war, defense and who stands on guard. It was brought to Louisiana from West Africa and the Haitian exiles after the revolution. is a traditional organised religion of coastal West Africa from Nigeria to Ghana. Vodun (a.k.a. Vodun is still practiced by the majority of Haiti even though the majority also call themselves Christian. She is an elder woman, and usually a mother who is gentle and forgiving. West African Vodun Vodun (meaning spirit in the Fon and Ewe languages) is practiced by the Fon people of Benin, and southern and central Togo; as well in Ghana, and Nigeria. It is also an oracle that will designate the future high priest and high priestess among the new recruits, establishing an order of succession within the convent. They actuallyworship the divine elements present on the Earth, and their cosmological aurarevolves around t… The name was derived from the god Vodun of the West African Yoruba people who lived in 18th and 19th century Dahomey. Vodun is one of the most misunderstood religions today. Patterns of worship follow various dialects, spirits, practices, songs, and rituals. The name comes from vodun. Template:Alternateuses. It is distinct from the various traditional African religions in the interiors of these countries and is the main source of religions with similar names found among the African diaspora in the Americas, such as Haitian Vodou; Cuban Vodú; Brazilian Vodum (candomblé jeje and tambor de mina); Puerto Rican Vudú (Sanse); and Louisiana Voodoo. Vodun … Louisiana Voodoo (French: Vaudou louisianais), also known as New Orleans Voodoo describes a set of spiritual beliefs and practices developed from the traditions of the African diaspora in Louisiana. Voodoo is a religion practiced by people of African descent in Haiti, and by people who have emigrated from Haiti. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. the practice of vodun has always been confined to an intellectual elite. African Explorer Magazine is a publication being run by African Media Professionals, Explorers, Scientists, Researchers and Writers. Only blood relatives were allowed in the family convent; strangers are forbidden. She holds the right to lead the ceremonies incumbent to the clan: marriages, baptisms and funerals. Vodun cosmology centers around the vodun spirits and other elements of divine essence that govern the Earth, a hierarchy that range in power from major deities governing the forces of nature and human society to the spirits of individual streams, trees, and rocks, as well as dozens of ethnic vodun, defenders of a certain clan, tribe, or nation. ‘vodun’ african voodoo fondation cartier, paris, france exhibition design by enzo mari until 25 september, 2011 . The term Voodoo (Vodun in Benin; also Vodou or other phonetically equivalent spellings in Haiti; Vudu in the Dominican Republic) is applied to the branches of a West African ancestor-based Theist-Animist religious tradition. ‘vodun’ african voodoo fondation cartier, paris, france until 25 september, 2011 . Vodou, also spelled Voodoo, Voudou, Vodun, or French Vaudou, a religion practiced in Haiti. Vodun is one of the very few _____ religions to survive into modern times. Having Haitian roots, this ancient religion has an impressive following of over 30 million people in Africa today (npr.org). It is distinct from the various African traditional religions in the interiors of these countries and is the main source of religions with similar names found among the African Diaspora in the New World such as Haitian Vodou; Cuban Vodú; Dominican Vudú; Brazilian Vodum and Louisiana Voodoo. Vodun is the spiritual religion of the Fon people of Benin and is practiced throughout West Africa. is practiced by the Fon people of Benin, and southern and central Togo; as well in Ghana, and Nigeria. Perceived similarities with Roman Catholic doctrines such as the intercession of saints and angels allowed Vodun to appear compatible with Catholicism, and helped produce syncretic religions such as Haitian Vodou. Its roots may go back 6,000 years in Africa. The belief is that the individual attaches “magically” the name of someone that they plan to cause harm to, to the doll. This practice, known as hoodoo, is not utilized by the majority in the Vodun religion. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This is how medicines such as herbal remedies are understood, and explains the ubiquitous use of mundane objects in religious ritual. Haiti is a country that occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. As mentioned earlier, drum and dancing are one form of communication with the spirits of the dead. They take part in the organisation and the running of markets and are also responsible for their upkeep. The vodun are the center of religious life. Many sectors within the African Diaspora such as Haitian Voodoo, Louisiana Voodoo, and Candomble, are practiced throughout the world, particularly in the Caribbean. Vodun (meaning spirit in the Fon and Ewe languages, also spelled Vodon, Vodoun, Vodou, Voudou, Voodoo, etc.) Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It is sometimes referred to as Mississippi Valley Voodoo when referring to its historic popularity and development in the greater Mississippi Valley. European colonialism, followed by some of the totalitarian regimes in West Africa, have tried to suppress Vodun as well as other traditional religions. In the centuries-old African American culture, we have often called the people practicing the magical traditions carried into the New World from their ancestors residing in the areas of West Africa as Voodoo, Vodou, Vudu or the Vodun. The word 'Vodun' and the Haitian word 'Voodoo' come from the African Fon language, which is still spoken today in Benin, a country in Africa located between what is known today as Togo and Nigeria. The history of Voodoo does not start, as many people believe around 1500 CE in… Syncretism is the process of attempting to combine principles or practices of differing ideas, such as religion. Priest [ID 115170295 © Fabian Plock | Dreamstime.com], Voodoo Voodoo is a practical religion, playing an important role in the family and the community. However, because the vodun deities are born to each clan, tribe, and nation, and their clergy are central to maintaining the moral, social and political order and ancestral foundation of its village, these efforts have not been successful. ( Log Out /  Vodun (Voodoo)The transatlantic slave trade removed Africans from their lands, families, and cultures. Vodun means "spirit" or "deity". Voodoo Voodoo or Vodun which means spirit in the Fon and Ewe languages also spelled Vodon, Vodoun, Vodou, Voudou, Voodoo, etc is practiced by the Ewe people of eastern and southern Ghana and southern and central Togo and the Kabye people, Mina people and Fon people of southern and central Togo and southern and central Benin. Hardcover, illustrated boards (issued without DJ), 12.75" x 9.75", 235 pages, 75 African voodoo figures in color, several b/w field photos, short bibliography. Writing about my mystical journey through the universe. Vodun or Voodoo as it is more popularly known as, is not some mysterious magical evil practice. A lot of the rituals in Vodun includes symbolic drawings and music. Its roots may go back 6,000 years in Africa. Vodun (meaning spirit) also known as Voudou, or Voodoo, is a religion originating from West Africa that eventually combined Catholicism and native African belief. Though the path they take is not the same, and the Higher Power may go by a different “name”, ultimately the idea is the same. Unveiling for the first time an exceptional group of voodoo sculptures from the West African nations of Benin and Togo, this volume brings together nearly one hundred bocio—small fetishistic figurines—from the collection of the renowned African primitive art collectors Anne and Jacques Kerchache. I'd rate the book at 3.5 stars and suggest that it is worth having if you can find it at a reasonable price. is a traditional organised religion of coastal West Africa from Nigeria to Ghana. 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