Post by cygnet on Jan 15, 2009 16:25:40 GMT
What is Voodou?
When we in the Western World think about Voodoo, we think of a little doll with pins sticking out of it and the James Bond film "Live And Let Die".
This is not the case. Voodoo is in fact one of the worlds oldest religions.
It arrived in our Western worls during the times of slavery and it did in fact originate in Africa.
But how we recognise Voodoo today has it's basis in Haiti.
It is a West African word meaning 'Spirit'; the original word was vodun.
The basic ethos of the religion is that everything in the universe is connected. Nothing happens by chance in this world, and there are no accidents. Everything that you do to one person you are doing to yourself, because you are that person.
Voodoo ceremonies contain prayers, dancing and rituals. They also include animal sacrifices.
The figure of the snake features heavily in rituals with the Highpriestess and High Priest using the snakes power. Spirits of wealth, nature and happiness possess the bodies of believers at the ceremony.
Dancing and music are also major elements of the Voodoo ceremony. In the West, the dancing has often been portrayed as sexual, but that is not its main purpose. Dancing is a way to connect with spirits and the spirit world.
The high priest has a great deal of influence and gives spiritual advice when it is asked for. He or she is also seen as a healer and practices with herbs and medicines. The knowledge that the high priestess has gained will have been passed along through prior generations.
Spells are also used in Voodou, and they are used to invoke good not harm. There are healing spells, love spells and spells to celebrate joy.
In 2003, the government of Haiti sanctioned Voodoo as an official religion. Believers can now be baptized and married within the religion.
When we in the Western World think about Voodoo, we think of a little doll with pins sticking out of it and the James Bond film "Live And Let Die".
This is not the case. Voodoo is in fact one of the worlds oldest religions.
It arrived in our Western worls during the times of slavery and it did in fact originate in Africa.
But how we recognise Voodoo today has it's basis in Haiti.
It is a West African word meaning 'Spirit'; the original word was vodun.
The basic ethos of the religion is that everything in the universe is connected. Nothing happens by chance in this world, and there are no accidents. Everything that you do to one person you are doing to yourself, because you are that person.
Voodoo ceremonies contain prayers, dancing and rituals. They also include animal sacrifices.
The figure of the snake features heavily in rituals with the Highpriestess and High Priest using the snakes power. Spirits of wealth, nature and happiness possess the bodies of believers at the ceremony.
Dancing and music are also major elements of the Voodoo ceremony. In the West, the dancing has often been portrayed as sexual, but that is not its main purpose. Dancing is a way to connect with spirits and the spirit world.
The high priest has a great deal of influence and gives spiritual advice when it is asked for. He or she is also seen as a healer and practices with herbs and medicines. The knowledge that the high priestess has gained will have been passed along through prior generations.
Spells are also used in Voodou, and they are used to invoke good not harm. There are healing spells, love spells and spells to celebrate joy.
In 2003, the government of Haiti sanctioned Voodoo as an official religion. Believers can now be baptized and married within the religion.