Voudon - Cultural Origins and Modern Practice

[BlackLili]

Hi all! I'm jumping in here with the hopes that we can spark a good thread on Voudon, Voodoo, and Hoodoo; their cultural heritages and evolution, and how they relate to modern practitioners/seekers.

This relates to the thread begun over in Just Pagan: http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=182840

For me, I've always been interested in the cross-cultural "merging" that has given American Voodoo it's distinctive flavour.

Haitian Voudon and New Orleans Voodoo, while they share many basics and aspects are still fairly distinct from one another in terms of practices and spiritualism. I tend to think that this is because Haiti chased out the French back in the 19th century and has had to deal with internal dictatorships and economic despair over and over, which has led the faith to go in a direction that seems based more on survival and warfare.

In New Orleans, Voodoo and Hoodoo are almost interchangeable, and the practices have evolved in the middle of this country's "melting pot" pulling beliefs and drawing parallels between many cultures - some European, some African, some South American, as well as native American Indian tribes.

In the Southern States - do you clearly draw a line between Hoodoo and Voodoo? I've heard it go both ways.

By my understanding, Hoodoo refers to the physical rootwork and tricks, and Voodoo refers more to the "popular spiritualism" and faith? Maybe I'm way off though, I don't know.

Thoughts? Anyone?

[RivaWitch]

By my understanding, Hoodoo refers to the physical rootwork and tricks, and Voodoo refers more to the "popular spiritualism" and faith? Maybe I'm way off though, I don't know.

You are right in this, Many like to see that Voodoo & Hoodoo are interchangable. Hoodoo is a form of witchcraft. Voodoo or Vodun is first and formost a religion that does however use magic.

[plumedsnake]

. . . Although I've never really been too comfortable with strict delineations. I've found that african peoples have a tendency to incorporate whatever works into their practice. This creates a religious framework that is always changing and forever evolving. I think that there is too much of a tendency to approach african religions from a western christian perspective where there is an organised religion framework with it's fixed creeds and doctrines. It's all rather left brain.

In my experience of ATRs each house has it's own codes evolves in it's own direction. And it is all quite resistant to name tags and labelling.

[Teresa]

I agree that each house has its own codes and ethics and flavor so to speak and direction that it is heading in. There is no strict framework like organised religions most Americans are familar with. Things change within the adding of new members into a house.
Each new member brings something different to the "table". Every house has certain ways they do things such as ceremonies. Every house does not recognize all the same holidays as the next house either so it is hard to have a "Voodoo" Holiday Calendar. IMO, the main things are all the same though. The regard of honoring and serving the Ancestors and Loa , the use of veves even though each house may have a slightly different version of the same veve for a Loa. Some things are alike but there is no cut dry uniform rigid set of rules, regulations or standards.

Members hold the" Papa" and "Mama" of the house in high regard and show respect to them. It is a family type of setting being a member of a house. The leaders are your spiritual parents and therefore advise and look out for you like you are their children. They are they to help you grow and learn without getting hurt. Like a family each member has a responsibility appointed to them. Just like families, everyone will not always get along there will be times of trouble but the members still love each other after the tifts are over.

[Teresa]

Posting some links for those who may have questions or are interested in Voodoo, its history, what is it etc?

http://members.aol.com/racine125/index1.html

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/6157/VoodooInfo.html

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/6157/VoodooLinks.html

http://www.nozt.org/

http://neworleansvoodoocrossroads.com/

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/1786/voodoo.html


http://www.voodooshop.com/voodoo/FAQanswers/faqgeneral.htm

http://www.voodooshop.com/voodoo/FAQanswers/faqvoodoospiritforce.htm

http://www.voodooshop.com/voodoo/glossary.html

[BlackLili]

Shalaye, I know you can't tell us a whole lot about the particulars of your personal path, but I'm curious - how did you first know you were "called"? I've heard some really amazing stories about people who are drawn to the lwa, and was curious if you would honor us with yours.

[Teresa]

I will try to take some time tomorrow nad post my story. Let me warn you that it is long and drawn out. I actually ran from my destiny for some years. I was called at an early age. Even in my childhood I had a sense of mysterious forces around me. I saw them in my dreams and they told me things. They wanted me to serve them and even told me what to do. At the age of 8 or 9 I encountered my first mounting. My Grandma knew what was going on and explained things to me. Through the years many things happened that were signs. I will try to get into more detail tomorrow.

As many others that were called I did experience a near death incident before finally acting on this at the pushing of the "spirits".

[BlackLili]

I dont know much about the comparison between Hoodoo and Vodou since I dont practice Hoodoo and im from the northern states, however, I do practice a form of Vodou from Dominican Republic - Its called Dominican Vodou and although in itself its not considered a "RELIGION" its really a religion to many of us -

These traditions are basically considered religion when you are allowed to create a church for that particular belief and hold masses, in Dominican Vodou the practices are not like in Haiti where you can find vodou temples - most of dominican vudu practices are private and you hear about the shrines by word of mouth or by going to your Local Botanica....

When comparing Dominican Vodou and Haitian Vodou - they are similar but yet have many diferences - tehre are many Lwas that we dont serve in Dominican Vodou that are served in Haitian Vodou - and like Hoodoo Dominican Vodou is more about the rootworks, spiritualism and beliefs - its about your relationship with the Lwa, Bondye and your guides.

Gracia Misericordia!
Ruben, that Santeria 101 link, is that your site? I've had it bookmarked for a while now. Interesting stuff.

Thank you for the perspective from a Dominican standpoint, I was hoping we would draw in some more folks from the Dominican Rep or Brazil with the variations I've read about but never experienced.

[Teresa]

I
These traditions are basically considered religion when you are allowed to create a church for that particular belief and hold masses, in Dominican Vodou the practices are not like in Haiti where you can find vodou temples - most of dominican vudu practices are private and you hear about the shrines by word of mouth or by going to your Local Botanica....

Gracia Misericordia!

Greetings in the name of God, the Ancestors and the Loa! I hope you are well.
First let me welcome you here Ruben and also thank you for your input. I would also like to say that I live in the southern part of the USA and our "houses" are pretty much private and you also hear about them by word of mouth around here in North Carolina. I know of well known houses in the Charleston Area of South Carolina matter of fact there are several that are known in that state. That makes me wonder why it is like that here as well as where you live, perhaps people are not as tolerate in these areas ? Who knows ? I look forward to hearing more about your type of practice as of what you are able to talk about of course.

[Artiste-LiLi]

Greetings in the name of God, the Ancestors and the Loa! I hope you are well.
First let me welcome you here Ruben and also thank you for your input. I would also like to say that I live in the southern part of the USA and our "houses" are pretty much private and you also hear about them by word of mouth around here in North Carolina. I know of well known houses in the Charleston Area of South Carolina matter of fact there are several that are known in that state. That makes me wonder why it is like that here as well as where you live, perhaps people are not as tolerate in these areas ? Who knows ? I look forward to hearing more about your type of practice as of what you are able to talk about of course.

Well then Shalaye Sabariego...we are "neighbors". :hahugh:
I'm in Tennessee.

In regards to your post: I agree; most of the houses in the Southeastern US are private/secret and one does hear about them by word of mouth. My "Sister" (the one who "adopted" me into her family house) is in Kentucky..yet another place where the houses are very private. You have also explained something of myself to me in this post............for 2 years now I have been feeling a STRONG calling to the LowCountry of South Carolina (N. Charleston area and south to the Georgia border). I went to Edisto Island on vacation summer before last and as soon as I hit the areas leading out to the salt marshes and then the coast and the island, I felt HOME. That area has been calling me ever since...to the point that I have been researching homes to rent or purchase in the LowCountry. My strongest "pull" comes from the Edisto area south to Beaufort and just a wee bit beyond.

Thank you.

[Teresa]

...........for 2 years now I have been feeling a STRONG calling to the LowCountry of South Carolina (N. Charleston area and south to the Georgia border). I went to Edisto Island on vacation summer before last and as soon as I hit the areas leading out to the salt marshes and then the coast and the island, I felt HOME. That area has been calling me ever since...to the point that I have been researching homes to rent or purchase in the LowCountry. My strongest "pull" comes from the Edisto area south to Beaufort and just a wee bit beyond.

Thank you.

Yes I can understand that feeling, very much and I believe that the spirits are urging you to come back home. I love visiting the "Low Country". My extended family has many "Low Country" recipes too that have been passed down. Everytime I visit New Orleans, I get the same pull and draw to want to stay there. I do know some of my family lived there for many generations.

[Artiste-LiLi]

I hope this is the best place for this....if not, please feel free to move it wherever it should go!

Found a nice little "clickey-linkey" for you all... it goes to a very nice article written about this person's ancestor worship practice. While I don't agree with every single thing said in this article...I found it to be a nice piece for a beginning ancestor worship practice.

Here ya go!

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usky&c=words&id=12637