Vodun
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Vodun is sometimes called Voodoo, Vodoun, Vodou. Religions related to
Vodun are: Candomble, Lucumi, Macumba, and Yoruba)
General background:
Vodun (a.k.a. Vodoun, Voudou, Voodoo, Sevi Lwa) is commonly called
Voodoo by the public. The name is traceable to an African word for "spirit". Vodun's can be directly traced to the West African Yoruba people who lived in 18th and 19th century Dahomey. Its roots may go back 6,000 years in Africa. That country occupied parts of today's Togo, Benin and Nigeria. Slaves brought their religion with them when they were forcibly shipped to Haiti and other islands in the West Indies.
Vodun was actively suppressed during colonial times. "Many Priests were
either killed or imprisoned, and their shrines destroyed, because of
the threat they posed to Euro-Christian/Muslim dominion. This forced some
of the Dahomeans to form Vodou Orders and to create underground societies, in order to continue the veneration of their ancestors, and the
worship of their powerful gods." 1 Vodun was again suppressed during the
Marxist regime. However, it has been freely practiced in Benin since a
democratic government was installed there in 1989. Vodun was formally recognized as Benin's official religion in 1996-FEB. It is also followed by most of the adults in Haiti. It can be found in many of the large cities in North America, particularly in the American South.
Today over 60 million people practice Vodun worldwide. Religions similar to Vodun can be found in South America where they are called Umbanda, Quimbanda or Candomble.
Today, there are two virtually unrelated forms of the religion:
the actual religion, Vodun practiced in Benin, Dominican Republic,
Ghana, Haiti, Togo and various centers in the US - largely where Haitian
refuges have settled.an evil, imaginary religion, which we will call
Voodoo. It has been created for Hollywood movies, complete with "voodoo
dolls", violence, bizarre rituals, etc. It does not exist in reality,
except in the minds of most non-Voduns.
History of Vodun in the west:
Slaves were baptized into the Roman Catholic Church upon their arrival
in Haiti and other West Indian islands. However, there was little Christian infrastructure present during the early 19th century to maintain the faith. The result was that the slaves largely followed their original native faith. This they practiced in secret, even while attending Mass regularly.
An inaccurate and sensational book (S. St. John, "Haiti or the Black
Republic") was written in 1884. It described Vodun as a profoundly evil
religion, and included lurid descriptions of human sacrifice, cannibalism, etc., some of which had been extracted from Vodun priests by torture. This book caught the imagination of people outside the West Indies, and was responsible for much of the misunderstanding and fear that is present today. Hollywood found this a rich source for Voodoo screen plays. Horror movies began in the 1930's and continue today to misrepresent Vodun. It is only since the late 1950's that accurate studies by anthropologists have been published.
Other religions (Macumba, Candomble, Umbanda and Santeria) bear many
similarities to Vodun.
Vodun beliefs:
Vodun, like Christianity, is a religion of many traditions. Each group
follows a different spiritual path and worships a slightly different pantheon of spirits, called Loa. The word means "mystery" in the Yoruba language.
Yoruba traditional belief included a chief God Olorun, who is remote and unknowable. He authorized a lesser God Obatala to create the earth and all life forms. A battle between the two Gods led to Obatala's temporary banishment.
There are hundreds of minor spirits. Those which originated from Dahomey are called Rada; those who were added later are often deceased leaders in the new world and are called Petro. Some of these are:
Agwe: spirit of the sea Aida Wedo: rainbow spirit Ayza: protector Baka: an evil spirit who takes the form of an animal Baron Samedi: guardian of the grave Dambala (or Damballah-wedo): serpent spirit Erinle: spirit of the forests Ezili (or Erzulie): female spirit of love Mawu Lisa: spirit of creation Ogou Balanjo: spirit of healing Ogun (or Ogu Bodagris): spirit of war Osun: spirit of healing streams Sango (or Shango): spirit of storms Yemanja: female spirit of waters Zaka (or Oko): spirit of agriculture -
There are a number of points of similarity between Roman Catholicism and Vodun: Both believe in a supreme being.
The Loa resemble Christian Saints, in that they were once people who led exceptional lives, and are usually given a single responsibility or special attribute.Both believe in an afterlife.Both have, as the centerpiece of some of their ceremonies, a ritual sacrifice and consumption of flesh and blood.Both believe in the existence of invisible evil spirits or demons.Followers of Vodun believe that each person has a met tet (master of the head) which corresponds to a Christian's patron saint.
Followers of Vodun believe that each person has a soul which is composed of two parts: a gros bon ange or "big guardian angel", and a ti bon ange or "little guardian angel". The latter leaves the body during sleep and when the person is possessed by a Loa during a ritual. There is a concern that the ti bon ange can be damaged or captured by evil sorcery while it is free of the body.
Vodun rituals:
The purpose of rituals is to make contact with a spirit, to gain their favor by offering them animal sacrifices and gifts, to obtain help in the form of more abundant food, higher standard of living, and improved health. Human and Loa depend upon each other; humans provide food and other materials; the Loa provide health, protection from evil spirits and good fortune. Rituals are held to celebrate lucky events, to attempt to escape a run of bad fortune, to celebrate a seasonal day of celebration associated with a Loa, for healing, at birth, marriage and death.
Vodun priests can be male (houngan or hungan), or female (mambo). A
Vodun temple is called a hounfour (or humfort). At its center is a poteau-mitan a pole where the God and spirits communicate with the people. An altar will be elaborately decorated with candles, pictures of Christian saints, symbolic items related to the Loa, etc. Rituals consist of some of the following components: a feast before the main ceremonycreation of a veve, a pattern of flour or cornmeal on the floor which is unique to the Loa for whom the ritual is to be conducted shaking a rattle and beating drums which have been cleansed and purified chantingdancing by the houngan and/or mambo and the hounsis (students studying Vodun). The dancing will typically build in intensity until one of the dancers (usually a hounsis) becomes possessed by a Loa and falls. His or her ti bon ange has left their body and the spirit has taken control. The possessed dancer will behave as the Loa and is treated with respect and ceremony by the others present.animal sacrifice; this may be a goat, sheep, chicken, or dog. They are usually humanely killed by slitting their throat; blood is collected in a vessel. The possessed dancer may drink some of the blood. The hunger of the Loa is then believed to be satisfied. The animal is usually cooked and eaten. Animal sacrifice is a method of consecrating food for consumption by followers of Vodun, their gods and ancestors.
Evil sorcery:
The houngan and mambos confine their activities to "white" magic which
is used to bring good fortune and healing. However caplatas (also known
as bokors) perform acts of evil sorcery or black magic, sometimes called "left-handed Vodun". Rarely, a houngan will engage in such sorcery; a few alternate between white and dark magic.
One belief unique to Vodun is that a dead person can be revived after having been buried. After resurrection, the zombie has no will of their own, but remains under the control of others. In reality, a zombie is a living person who has never died, but is under the influence of powerful drugs administered by an evil sorcerer. Although most Haitians believe in zombies, few have ever seen one. There are a few recorded instances of persons who have claimed to be zombies.
Sticking pins in "voodoo dolls" was once used as a method of cursing an
individual by some followers of Vodun in New Orleans; this practice continues occasionally in South America. The practice became closely associated with Voodoo in the public mind through the vehicle of horror movies.
source: http://www.religioustolerance.org/voodoo.htm -
Voodoo Practice has been around for a long time with several Traditions mentioned above not forgeting Santeria Vodou! They are mostly linked to Chaos or Black Magic which is not entirely true, everything in this Plane has Dark & White side, or maybe everything that existed comes in Grey! Famous Vodun Masters like New Orleans Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau or 7 Sisters of New Orleans also help alot of people using their Spiritual powers!
Voodoo Dolls are one of the most controversial & Signature items of Voodoo thus mostly linked with sinister background on its uses which is not entirely true at all! Voodoo Dolls can be used to help you in all aspect of your life! They are not for Cursing or Hexing only, "REMEMBER THERE IS KARMA"! They can be used on individual to get Health, Luck , Love, Wealth, Charisma, Protection etc. There are also Worry Doll which take all your troubles away! Anyone interested in getting one of these Authentic Dolls that are consecrated & empowered by New Orleans Voodoo Master, please contact me for more info via pm!
Blessed Be,
Oceanos -
Voodoo Doll
A simple yet effective Multi-purpose Voodoo Doll Handcrafted, Consecrated & Empowered by Voodoo Masters.
The above is a Traditional Male Doll. -
Originally posted by OCEANOS:
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[b]Voodoo Doll
A simple yet effective Multi-purpose Voodoo Doll Handcrafted, Consecrated & Empowered by Voodoo Masters.
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Here is a Brief introduction on Voodoo Doll, hope all of you can have a clearer perspective of it. Do not be misled by the Media that created a mystical & sinister background for Voodoo! Everything in this World has Dual side, Balance is the key! Well it really depends on individual & their intent. Remember "There is Karma & Retribution"!
"The Dark side, Magickal people don't go there!"
Blessed be,
Oceanos
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Voodoo Doll
Legend & superstition surround voodoo dolls, & the uses of the dolls have been a closely guarded secret until the past few years. Although some rituals are connected with revenge, harm & hate, but there are also love, success, luck & health spells, as well as protection or dispelling evil rites. The doll one uses is merely a symbol; it is the power the magician infuses into the spell which brings force to one's intentions.