The spelling voodoo, once very common, is now generally avoided by Haitian practitioners and scholars when referring to the Haitian religion. This is both to avoid confusion with Louisiana Voodoo, a related but distinct set of religious practices, as well as to separate Haitian Vodou from the negative connotations and misconceptions the term "voodoo" has acquired in popular culture. Over the years, practitioners and their supporters have called on various institutions including the Associated Press to redress this misrepresentation by adopting Vodou in reference to the Haitian religion. In October 2012, the Library of Congress decided to change their subject heading from "Voodooism" to Vodou in response to a petition by a group of scholars and practitioners in collaboration with KOSANBA, the scholarly association for the study of Haitian Vodou based at University of California Santa Barbara.
THE ORIGIN OF VOODOO
Vodoo originated in the Caribbean and developed in the French Empire in the 18th century among West African slaves when African religious practice was actively suppressed, and enslaved Africans were forced to convert to Christianity. Religious practices of contemporary Vodou are descended from, and closely related to, West African Vodun as practiced by the Fon and Ewe. Vodou also incorporates elements and symbolism from other African peoples including the Yoruba and Kongo; as well as Taíno religious beliefs, Roman Catholicism, and European spirituality including mysticism, Freemasonry, and other influences
VOODOO TRADITION
According to the Voodoo tradition, there is one supreme god, who is known by different names in different parts of the world. In Haiti, for example, he is called Bondye, which comes from the French bon dieu, meaning "good god." Regardless of which name people use, the primary god is immensely powerful and beyond the reach ordinary followers. For this reason, Voodoo practitioners must rely on hundreds or thousands of other spirits to communicate with god.
Voodoo
Voodoo [Vudu], also Vodun is a predominantly Creole religion, which is based in Haiti and other parts of America and in Africa. The religion is known in western countries especially for the "dark arts" and practicing of white and black magic. This faith came to the West Indies with the enslavement of West Africa, which included elements of other religions. Worldwide Voodoo has about 60 million followers.Voodoo knows only one God, is Bondieu (French for "Good God"), derived from creole called Bondye. Since Bondieu is however so great that the believer cannot contact him directly, there is the Loa as a mediator. The Loa is a divine spirit, in whose power it is to change things. For the Voodoo believers Loa Racine, the Family Loa, whose worship takes place within the family for generations, while the main contact person.Voodoo is a much known magic, probably what we know about it is that voodoo is a form of black magic, but that is not true, today we will talk in detail about what is voodoo and where it began. This topic was much needed, since voodoo magic are very powerful and strong but many fear to approach a voodoo priest to take help from in regards to voodoo magic since people think it is a form of black magic.
Well, voodoo is a religion, rather a very old religion and probably older even than the continent of Africa itself. Voodoo is also named or referred as voudou, vodou, and voudun which literally means created by God or a great spirit. Voodoo is a life supporting exercise that inspires its partakers to better comprehend the natural processes of life and their own spiritual natures. The dictionary description of voodoo states that it is an ancient religion that involves animal spirits and cult of ancestors and different methods and rituals to communicate with such spirits. Though voodoo was started from Africa but today many continents and countries are practicing voodoo, some have also altered it to suit their religion and needs, but the main goal of voodoo still remains the same which is to heal people, yes voodoo was basically practiced for healing people, healing mentally and physically, healing oneself in connection to himself or herself as well as in connection to God.
 | voodoo love The term Vo-Du came from the fons of dahomey, because in the year 1729 dahomey captured all its neighbouring sites and sold their people as slaves to get European goods in exchange, though many slaves were kidnapped as well. At this time they used to worship the snake god and these priest found the way to Haiti and established temples or hounfors and developed the religion more, another instance that history states backs about the voodoo religion comes from is from the sacred city of Ile-Ife which was in yourubaland now known as Nigeria. |
The followers of voodoo believed in one supreme almighty GOD, and they believed that under his instructions functions the Loa, like I stated before loa are different forms of spirits and hence these different forms were worshiped for specific reason like family, wealth, health, and food. Each Loa or Orisha had dedicated days, numbers, colors, foods, vegetables and fruits which were offered to please the Loa. It is such believed that once you please a Loa you would get whatever you want from the specific spirit.
casting voodoo spells
The religion gained more eyes, in some parts of the country like the Spanish Island, it came to be known as Santeria or worship of the saints and in other parts it remained with the name Voodoo but this was not the end to the religion, it grew more and came to America when the slave population was brought to LA from Africa. Louisiana also added more value to voodoo religion and enriched it to another extent, it was here that the incorporation of Snake Spirits were made and entered into the religion.
Today about 15% to 20% of people from New Orleans practice and follow voodoo as a religion. Though the modern society has developed a lot bringing in major changes in the religion of voodoo and the way it is followed. Now there are people who specializes in casting voodoo spells, some specializes in casting healing rituals and other are just following the religion.
Though there is a much negative understanding about this religion and voodoo is clubbed up as black magic, but in real voodoo shows the part to attain natural harmony between a human and GOD.
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