History
Voodoo originated in the West Indies country of Haiti during the French Colonial Period, and it is still widely practiced in Haiti today. The foundations of Voodoo are the tribal religions of West Africa, brought to Haiti by slaves in the seventeenth century. They were mainly captured from the kingdom of Dahomey, which occupied parts of today's Togo, Benin and Nigeria. The word 'Voodoo' derives from the word 'vodu' in the Fon language of Dahomey, which means 'spirit', 'god'. Haiti was isolated during much of its history, therefore allowing Voodoo to develop with its own unique traditions, beliefs and gods.
The Haitian slaves were captured from many different tribes throughout West Africa. These tribes shared several common core beliefs: worship of the spirits of family ancestors; the use of singing, drumming and dancing in religious rituals; and the belief the followers were possessed by immortal spirits. Once living in Haiti, the slaves created a new religion based on their shared beliefs, at the same time absorbing each tribe's strongest traditions and gods. Influences from the native Indian population in Haiti were also integrated during this formative period. For many enslaved Africans such spiritual traditions and practices provided a vital means of mental and emotional resistance to bitter hardship. Using their religion as ammunition may not have freed them but they were successfully able to scare their captures. Voodoo is still largely practiced in Haiti by the peasant class that encompasses the majority of Haitians. It has also migrated to many other parts of the world, with strong communities in New Orleans, Miami, Charleston, and New York City. Each community has created their own rituals and practices.
Voodoo originated in the West Indies country of Haiti during the French Colonial Period, and it is still widely practiced in Haiti today. The foundations of Voodoo are the tribal religions of West Africa, brought to Haiti by slaves in the seventeenth century. They were mainly captured from the kingdom of Dahomey, which occupied parts of today's Togo, Benin and Nigeria. The word 'Voodoo' derives from the word 'vodu' in the Fon language of Dahomey, which means 'spirit', 'god'. Haiti was isolated during much of its history, therefore allowing Voodoo to develop with its own unique traditions, beliefs and gods.
The Haitian slaves were captured from many different tribes throughout West Africa. These tribes shared several common core beliefs: worship of the spirits of family ancestors; the use of singing, drumming and dancing in religious rituals; and the belief the followers were possessed by immortal spirits. Once living in Haiti, the slaves created a new religion based on their shared beliefs, at the same time absorbing each tribe's strongest traditions and gods. Influences from the native Indian population in Haiti were also integrated during this formative period. For many enslaved Africans such spiritual traditions and practices provided a vital means of mental and emotional resistance to bitter hardship. Using their religion as ammunition may not have freed them but they were successfully able to scare their captures. Voodoo is still largely practiced in Haiti by the peasant class that encompasses the majority of Haitians. It has also migrated to many other parts of the world, with strong communities in New Orleans, Miami, Charleston, and New York City. Each community has created their own rituals and practices.