The religion of Vodoun (Voodoo),
as practiced in Haiti, is a mixture of spiritual beliefs originating
in Africa and influenced by the Catholic church
The Mysteries of Vodoun
(Voodoo)
by Fazilla Shujaat
Hour
after hour, the drumming and chanting carries on as a goat and a
small pig have their throats cut... the blood is sprinkled over the
worshippers and the animals are then thrown into a pool of brown
bubbling mud, as many believers join, jumping into the pond as well.
This is the climax of the voodoo ceremony at the Plaine Du Nord, 300
kilometres north of the Haitian capital Port-Au-Prince. Thousands of
voodoo believers come each year, all believing that "the saint" will
help them. This particular ceremony is in honor of Ogou, the spirit
of fertility and the Earth.
The most important part of voodoo is the
actual religious ceremony. After starting out slowly, the voodooist
work them selves up to a spiritual and religious frenzy, using such
things as dance, music and liquor to help inspire them. The real
question - is Voodoo a religious act or a satanic following; as
voodoo is often charged with being fatalistic, superstitious and
involving devil worship. Voodoo is a mixture of Catholicism and
ancient African religion and its faith holds that there is one God,
the creator of the universe. Subordinate to this God are the Loas,
lesser deities or saints who act as messengers between a voodoo
practitioner and God. Voodoos fatalism focuses on how the Loa
control the world, wealth, sickness, childbirth, rewards, punishment
and many more.
Voodoo believers accept the existence of one
God. Below this almighty God spirits rule over the world's affairs
in matters of family, love, happiness, justice, wealth, and revenge.
The practice of voodoo involves the blessing of a voodoo doll to
contact the spirits directly, requesting fulfillment in love,
finance career matters, and more. It is still believed that the main
reason why people turn to practicing voodoo or witchcraft today is
because more and more people are dissatisfied with traditional
religious structures and are seeking deeper and more meaningful
relationships with divinity through alternate methods. Voodoo, which
means 'Spirit Of God', is a system of beliefs originating in Africa.
It has over 50 million followers worldwide and also flourishes in
Brazil, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Cuba. It is known to be one of the
world's oldest religions, and it has been around in Africa since the
beginning of human civilization.
Some people estimate these civilizations and
religions to be over 10,000 years old. It's been said voodoo is a
powerful mystical practice that can bring great gifts and rewards to
anyone who believes in it. Followers consist of those willing to
place his or her destiny in the hands of the spirits and await
waiting their call. The most popular part of voodoo is the voodoo
doll, which is used to represent the spirit of a particular person.
Primarily used for the purposes of control, doll's have been used to
request a change in attitude or intention; influencing an individual
to act in accordance with one's wishes. The dolls have also been
used to bring harm to those who seek revenge against their enemies.
Most perceptions of voodoo rites and rituals
proclaim it to be evil or malicious, but not many people know the
positive aspects of voodoo, such as healing, nature, love, and
joyous celebration spells. Voodoo spirits can also bring harmony and
peace; birth and re-birth; luck; happiness; and health. For those who
have been looking for a solution to a difficult problem; for someone
who is trying to sort out a conflict; return a lover, or even become
rich in a more than alternative manner, Loa is waiting for your
call.
For more information
about Vodoun, also spelled Vodun, or Voodoo and the
Religious Practices of Southern Slaves in America, visit
www.mamiwata.com.
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