Vodou

1. Vodou

2. Worldview • Monistic • Ashe • Ritual actions effect the world (magic) • Animistic &/or Panentheistic? • Lwas/loas associated with natural as well as cultural things • Multi-tiered – Heaven; world; Ginen • Relational – universe viewed as complex web of relationships & dependencies Ginen - land of loa and ancestors

3. Theology • Monotheistic or polytheistic, depending on definitions • Bondye (God) – Distant, unapproachable • Loas (lwas): • Many “Nanchons” (nations) pantheons • Two most recognized = Rada & Petro • Rada = “cool” (Dahomean) • Petro = “hot” (Haitian) Bondye – God (faceless, unknowable)

4. Theology Lwas/loas (gods, spirits, saints) – very approachable - les invisibles, les mysteres • Two main “nanchons” = Rada (calm, cool, African) and Petro (fierce, hot, Caribbean) • Some main Rada loas are: • Legba (Christ or St. Peter) = Crossroads, communication • Erzulie (Virgin Mary) = love, motherhood, sexuality • Damballah (St. Patrick, God the Father) = wisdom, support • Ogou (St. James) = defense, iron, alchemy • Gede/Baron Samedi (St. Gerard) = cemetaries, death, family, sexuality • The marassa (Christ) = honoured dead, ancestors Erzulie and daughter Anais (or Mary and Jesus)

5. Theology • Main Petro Loas: • Kafou Legba = trickster figure, aggressive defense of gateway to Ginen • Ezili Je‑Rouge (red eye) or Ezili Danto = rage and mother’s defense of threatened child • Ogou Ferary – fierce pleasures, fierce defense, aggression, strategy • Baron le Koa = harm to enemies, punish wrongdoers, death • Dan Petro = “father” of Petro loas - revenge Ogou Ferary

6. Other Supernatural Beings • Baka • - spirits who serve both the loas and human magicians (bocor) • Ancestors • Souls: • Ti Bon Ange (little good angel) • Gros Bon Ange (big good angel) • Met tete (master of the head = guardian loa) • Mermaids, Loup Garou, Zombies

7. Ethics • Ethics are situational and relational • Ethics are communal and consensual • No set ethical code – based on consensus on what equals morally reasonable, socially acceptable behavior • “Reasonableness” governed by principles of generosity; respect • Some acceptance of Biblical ethics: 10 Commandments, Golden Rule

8. Organization • Oum’phor (hounfor) • Konesans • 3 levels of participation: • Ordinary parishioner • Ounsi (hounsi) - initiated “spouses” of loas • Houngan (male) and/or Mambo (female)

9. Varieties • New Orleans Voodoo • Li Grand Zombi (Damballah) • Papa Limba (Legba) • Doctor John (1803-1885) • Hoodoo • Gris-gris • Marie Laveau (1794-1881) • Folk Catholicism elements • Marie the Younger • New Orleans Voodoo Crossroads Marie Laveau’s Tomb

10. Varieties • Haitian Vodou • Direct initiatory links to Haiti • Most dominant form in North America • Roots Without End

11. Varieties • Vodou (Eclectic) • Predominantly follows Haitian model • May or may not have initiatory links to Haiti • Draws on other sources of inspiration, i.e. other Afro-Caribbean traditions, Kabbalah, Tarot, Astrology • Voodoo Spiritual Temple • Book: Voodoo Visions

12. Rituals • Oum’phor • Peristyle • Poteau-mitan • Veves • Fire & iron = Ogou • Mound & cross = Gede • Pool of water = Damballah • Djevo (initiation room) • Pe (altar room) • Loa symbols • Offerings • Pots de tete

13. Ritual Tools • Drums • Rada drums • Petro drums • Assato drum • Asson • Calabash & wooden handle, snake vertebrae • Clochette

14. Rituals • The Kanzo (initiation cycle) • 2 week cycle • Bat ge • Petro ceremony • Priye Ginen • Loa drum rhythms & songs • Spirit possession • Pakets

15. Rituals • The Kanzo • Ritual Baths • 3 days, 7 baths per day • Herbal baths • Funeral songs • Kouche Kanzo (lying down Kanzo) • Confined to the djevo • 4-5 days • Kouri Ayizan • Spirit possession • Afterwards, baptism, wear white, abstain from sex & certain foods for 41 days, one year later, sponsor a ritual to honour their lwa