Take a walk through the streets of the haitian capital, portauprince, and you might spot occasional clues. Haitian vodou is a syncretic mixture of roman catholic rituals developed during the french colonial period, based on traditional african beliefs, with roots in dahomey, kongo and yoruba traditions, and folkloric influence from the indigenous taino peoples of haiti. Vodou is elusive and endangered, but it remains the soul of haitian. Patrick bellegardesmith and claudine michel are to be applauded for editing this slim volume, the firstever collection of essays on vodou written entirely by. However, nonhoungan or nonmambo as vodouisants are not initiated, and are referred to as being bossale. Damballah created all of the oceans, culture valleys and mountains.
Bellegardesmith has authored, edited and coedited five books on these subjects, and a large number of articles, notably in the shadows. This is his part in dispelling myths about the practice. Therefore vow before me to live free and independent, and to prefer death to anything that will try to place you back in chains. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most definitive collection ever assembled. This work explores and highlights how the african religion of vodou and its ethic i. Haitian vodou breaks away from european and american heuristic models for understanding a religiophilosophical system such as vodou in order to form new approaches with an african ethos. The primary goal and activity of vodou is to sevi lwa serve the spiritsto offer prayers and perform various devotional rites directed at god and particular spirits in return for health, protection, and favour. The contributors to this volume, all haitians, examine the potentially radical and transformative possibilities of the religious and philosophical ideologies of vodou and. Anything by claudine michel or patrick bellegardesmith. Spirit possession plays an important role in afrohaitian religion, as it does in many other world religions. Spirit, myth and reality by patrick bellegardesmith, claudine michel isbn. Other characteristics of vodou include veneration of the dead and protection against evil witchcraft. Translation into portuguese by amanda orlando of haitian vodou.
Haitian voodoo creation myth creation myth haitians believed in a sky serpent named damballah. Vodou is a haitian creole word that formerly referred to only to a small subset of haitian rituals. In order to more fully address the mental health needs of the haitian people, the history of vodou in psychology and the modern importance of vodou must be understood. Haitian vodou breaks away from european and american heuristic models for understanding a religiophilosophical system such as vodou in order to form new approaches with an. Bellegardesmith has authored, edited and coedited five books on these subjects, and a large number of articles, notably. She sees vodou as a modern invention of the haitian genius, and the book is a platform for analyzing all the big issuesfrom imperialism, to slavery, neocolonialism, and us exceptionalism expressed as racial paternalismthat have made haiti what it has become. This is one of the best, most thorough and concise articles every written on this vast, mysterious and often misunderstood tradition of haitian vodou. Explore the timeless world of vodou, deep within the caves of haiti photographer troi anderson captures the religion that has been misunderstood for centuries by jonathan m. A caribbean american response to representations of haiti.
Haitian vodou project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Spirit, myth, and reality contains mostly original material and some compelling insight into the nature of this extraordinary new world. The earthquake, the missionaries, and the future of vodou jstor. There are clergy in haitian vodou whose responsibility it is to preserve the rituals and songs and maintain the relationship between the spirits and the community as a. The breached citadel 1990 second edition 2004 fragments of bone. Haitian vodou and migrating voices theatre research. Bellegardesmith also wrote an excellent book called fragments of bone. Damballah was the father of the loa spirits damballah was the creator of everything. Spirit, myth, reality, edited by patrick bellegardesmith and claudine michel. Haitian vodou is a fascinating spiritual tradition rich with ceremonies and magic, songs and prayers, dances and fellowship.
It is with great pleasure we are able to provide this informative and fascinating essay for you, courtesy of mr. Far removed from bmovie cliches, vodou is spiritual system and a way of life but even in. Claudine michel is the author of vodou in haitian life and culture 3. Independence or death let these sacred words unite us and be the signal of battle and of our reunion. Vodou is popularly described as not simply a religion, but rather an experience that ties body and soul together. Spirit, myth, and reality by patrick bellegardesmith. Haitian vodou in french vodu, also written as vaudou. The contributors to this volume, all haitians, examine the potentially radical and transformative possibilities of the religious and philosophical ideologies of vodou and locate. Spirit, myth, and reality and vodou in haitian life and culture.
The class will examine the vodou system, theology and philosophy, mythology, songs, dances, rhythms, rituals. Edited by patrick bellegardesmith and claudine michel. This article explores the beliefs of haitian vodou, a newworld variant of west african vodun practices, within the context of ecotheology. A devils dozen of the best new religion journalism books of the decade. This class provides an introduction to this central haitian religion and culture. Patrick bellegardesmith and claudine michel are to be applauded for editing this slim volume, the firstever collection of essays on vodou. They are fantastic scholars and have written some really great books togethernamely, haitian vodou. Selected bibliography of books on haiti in english only the university of kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the universitys programs and activities. Broadly interpreting, to bring in other afrodiasporic religions. The contributors to this volume, all haitians, examine the potentially radical and transformative. Spirit, myth, and reality bellegardesmith, patrick, michel, claudine on. Vodou is entangled with haitian politics both indirectly and more openly. Need another excuse to treat yourself to new book this week. Explore the timeless world of vodou, deep within the caves.
The concept of tying that exists in haitian religious culture is derived from the congolese tradition of kanga, the practice of tying ones soul to something tangible. Vodou originated in the caribbean and developed in the french. The cultural place that vodou occupies today is complicated, and at first glance, almost invisible. The contributors to this volume, all haitians, examine the potentially radical and transformative possibilities of the religious and philosophical ideologies of vodou and locate its foundations more clearly. This supreme being, benevolent creator of all things, does not intercede in everyday human affairs, and it is to the lwa that vodou worship is directed. In the spirits and the law she has left no stone unturned. Haitian voodoo creation myth by jaylin clevenger on prezi. This tying of soul is evident in many haitian vodou practices that are still exercised today.
Yet outside of haiti, next to no one understands this joyous and profound way of life. Spirit, myth, and reality paperback december 7, 2006. The loa, or spirits with whom vodouisants work and practice, are not gods but servants of the supreme creator. Haitian vodou and migrating voices volume 44 issue 1 sabine kim. Responsibility edited by patrick bellegardesmith and claudine michel.
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