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Death & Afterlife

Death & Afterlife. The practitioners of Vodou revere death, and believe it to be a great transition from one life to another, or to the afterlife. In some Vodou families, it is believed that a person’s spirit leaves the body, but is trapped in water, over mountains, in grottoes, etc.

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Death & Afterlife

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  1. Death & Afterlife • The practitioners of Vodou revere death, and believe it to be a great transition from one life to another, or to the afterlife. In some Vodou families, it is believed that a person’s spirit leaves the body, but is trapped in water, over mountains, in grottoes, etc. • Followers also believe that the spirits of the dead can be contacted and used for their wisdoms and can even be pulled back into the body.

  2. Practices & Rituals • A Vodou practitioner will conduct daily ritual services to honor the saints and spirits of the house. Rituals and sacrifices are used to rejuvenate spirits, in essence “feeding” them. • Each household will set up tables for their ancestors and honor them with candles, incenses, foods, drinks, pictures, and sacrifices. Bondieu and the spirits are also honored at ceremonies. A tree or pole is central to the ceremony, and drumming and dancing is key to these rituals. • During the ceremony, worshippers can be “mounted,” or possessed, by a lwa. The lwa will take control and will offer advice, give cures, and give insight.

  3. Texts • Vodou is an oral tradition, so there are no central books or scriptures. The central prayers, songs, and texts are recited daily and can vary by region. • The followers can choose what prayers to recite, it’s a personal choice. There are many types of prayers, from vengeful to love to healing. • A practitioner may write out their religious chants during rituals.

  4. Symbol • There is no set icon or symbol for Vodou, as it differs depending on your region. However, most symbols to represent Vodou include a circle with protruding lines. • The circle is to represent the circle of life and the lines generally symbolize the energy of and on the Earth.

  5. Veve Symbols • A Veve is a religious symbol for the lwa and serves as their representation during rituals. The use of vevesderives from the beliefs of the native Tainos. • Every lwahas its own unique veve, although regional differences have led to different veves for the same lwa. • Sacrifices and offerings are usually placed upon them. ←Veve for Damballah-Wedo ←Veve for Ogoun Veve for Baron Samedi→ Veve for spirit Ayizan→

  6. Works Cited • "A Beginner's Guide to Voodoo." About.com Alternative Religions. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. • "A Beginner's Guide to Voodoo." About.com Alternative Religions. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014. • "Life After Death, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Philosophy, Science." Life After Death Christianity Islam Buddhism Philosophy Science RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. • "Life After Death: Voodoo / Vodun." Life After Death Christianity Islam Buddhism Philosophy Science RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. • McAlister, Elizabeth A. "Vodou (Haitian Religion)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. • "Ritual Symbols of the Voodoo Spirits: Voodoo Veves." Squidoo. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. • "Voodoo Symbols - Vodou Veves - Symbols of Vodou - Loa Possession." About.com Alternative Religions. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. • "West African Diaspora Vodoun: The World's Oldest Religion Comes Alive in the West." West African Diaspora Vodoun: The World's Oldest Religion Comes Alive in the West. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. • "Where Did Voodoo Originate? - Curiosity." Curiosity. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2014. • Haas, SaumyaArya. "What Is Voodoo? Understanding a Misunderstood Religion." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 25 Feb. 2011. Web. 14 May 2014. • "Haitian Voodoo." Haitian Voodoo. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 May 2014.

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