Gourt > Society > Religion and Spirituality > African > Diasporic > Vodou, Vodun, Voodoo
The term Vodou (Vodu or Vudu in Benin and Togo; also Vodon, Vodoun, Voudou, or other phonetically equivalent spellings. In Haiti; Vudu (an Ewe word, also used in the Dominican Republic) is by some individuals applied to the branches of a West African ancestral religious tradition. It is important to note that the word Voodoo is the most common and known usage in American and popular culture, and is viewed as a pejorative by the Afro-Diaspora practicing communities. However, the different spellings of this term can be explained as follows:
The word Voodoo is used to describe the Afro-creole tradition of New Orleans, Vodou is used to describe the Haitian Vodou Tradition, while Vudon and Vodun and Vodoun are used to describe the deities honoured in the Brazilian Jeje (Ewe) nation of Candomble as well as West African Vodoun, and in the African diaspora. Voodoo or Hoodoo also refer to African-American folk spirituality of the Southeastern USA, with roots in West African traditional or "folk" spirituality. When the word Vodou/Vodoun is capitalized, it denotes the Religion proper. When the word is used in small caps, it denotes folk spirituality, or the actual deities honored in each respective tradition.
Its roots are varied and include the Fon, Mina, Kabye, Ewe, and Yoruba peoples of West Africa, from western Nigeria to eastern Ghana. In Benin, Vodun is the national religion, followed by around 80 percent of the population, or some 4.5 million people. The word Vodún (Vodoun Vudu) is the Fon-Ewe word for spirit. Vodou in Haiti is highly influenced by Central African traditions. The Kongo rites, also known in the north of Haiti as Lemba (originally practiced among the Bakongo) and is as widespread as the West African elements. The Vodoun religion was suppressed during slavery and Reconstruction in the United States, but maintained most of its West African elements.
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Religion :: Society and Culture
Afrocentric Experience: Origins of Voodoo - Voodoo is a derivative of the world's oldest known religions which have been around in Africa since the beginning of human civilization. Some estimate these civilizations and religions to be over 10,000 years old. This page is part of the large and multifaceted Afrocentric Experience web site.
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Ancestors in Haitian Vodou by Mambo Racine Sans But - Essay on respect for ancestors in Vodou, with information on the ceremony of desounin and related beliefs and practices.
arealvoodooclub - Forum [club] for discussion on both Haitian Vodou and New Orleans Voodoo. Open membership, public archives.
Meta Description: [ arealvoodooclub: A real voodoo club - A real voodoo club for real voodo practitioners ]
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Calling on the Gods: the Embodied Aesthetic of Haitian Vodou - Academic essay, with many photo illustrations, discussing the art and visuals of Vodou in Haiti.
Carrefour - Discussion group, mainly about Haitian Vodou, but sometimes covering African Vodun and New Orleans Voodoo as well. Seekers, syncretists, mambos, houngans, longtime practitioners, and those who love us are all welcome! Public message archives; moderator must approve membership for downloading files and posting.
Meta Description: [ Carrefour: Honor! Carrefour is dedicated to the practice of Vodoun, Voodoo, Vodou, Voudoun, Vaudoun, or however you spell it! :-) Seeke ]
CityLore Magazine - The Gods Speak English in New York - Subtitled Haitian Spirits Adjust to Urban Life. Article by Lois Wilcken about Haitian-American Vodouisants in New York City. Black and white photos.
Dahomean Vodoun - The world's oldest Vodoun tradition alive in the diaspora.
Meta Description: [ Haiti is not where the Vodoun religion was born, nor is it where it reached
its highest pinnacle of philosophical, ritual and theological development.The Vodoun religion is estimated
to have existed for more than 10,000+ years.
Ezili Konnen - Website of Houngan Gate Sa Daginen. Essays on Haitian Vodou, descriptions of services, some photos.
Meta Description: [ REAL Voodoo religion information & resources, authentic santeria products, love spells, voodoo dolls. By a real life High Vodou Priest. ]
Gede.org - Small but well-designed site which features pages of information about some of the major Vodou lwa, and also reviews of books about Vodou.
Haitian Vodou: Serving the Spirits - Description of the Haitian Vodou tradition, including history, core beliefs, role of clergy, standards of conduct and ways of worship. Also full-color graphics.
Meta Description: [ The Witches' Voice offers the latest (updated daily) in news and networking for the Modern Witch, Wiccan and Pagan Community. ]
Island of Salvation :: La Source Ancienne - Sallie Ann Glassman's Vodou house in New Orleans, Louisiana. Explains the mission and goals of the house, and gives contact information.
New Afrikan Vodun - Afrikan traditions for New Afrikan people based upon the ancient Vodun of the Fon and Evhe of Dahomey and Togo, respectively, and the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria. Some video clips of West African Vodun ceremonies.
Meta Description: [ New Afrikan Vodun is an Afrikan spiritual site dedicated to the restoration of indigenous Afrikan traditions for Afrikan people. It is a New Afrikan approach to such an end. ]
New Orleans Mistic -- Magical Primer - FAQ page for this Spiritual Supplier and Botanica for the African Diaspora, Latin American and Caribbean Religious traditions, based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Gives answers to questions such as, What is Voodoo?How do I know if I have been cursed or crossed?How do I burn loose or powdered incense? and How do I dress my candle? Site also includes a brief history of Black Spiritualism in Louisiana.
New Orleans Voodoo Spiritual Temple Homepage - Website of New Orleans Voodoo temple, run by Priestess Miriam Chamani. This temple is influenced by African-American Spiritualism, and Belizean Obeah, as well as by Haitian Vodou.
Profile of a Belief System -- Vodoun - Introduction to Haitian Vodoun and New Orleans Voodoo by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance and the editors of the e-zine PorchNus.
Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou - Online companion to the exhibit hosted by the American Museum of Natural History, in New York, from October 1998 to January 1999. Dozens of full-color images.
Meta Description: [ The Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou exhibition, hosted by the American Museum of Natural History from October 1998 until January 1999, explored the arts and culture of the Afro-Caribbean religion of Vodou ]
Scully Elly's Voodoo Joint - New Orleans Voodoo botanica run by a hounsi kanzo (initiated in Haiti). Wide assortment of books, music, ritual supplies, and art. This link takes one directly to the What is Voodoo FAQ, rather than the store entrance.
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Blues, Jazz, Cajun & Zydeco, New Orleans R&B, Rockabilly, Surf, Country, Folk, Lounge, Harmonica, Bluegrass and Traditional Jazz
Blues, Jazz, Cajun & Zydeco, N... ]
Temple of Yehwe Home Page - Website for the Vodou temple, which is located in Washington D.C., and is an offshoot of Le Peristyle de Mariani, founded in 1974 in Mariani, Haiti, by Max-G. Beauvoir. Site includes much information about Caribbean herbology, as well as upcoming events and seminars, photos, and a discussion forum.
Meta Description: [ The Temple of Yehwe is an offshoot of Le Peristyle de Mariani which was founded in 1974 in Mariani, Haiti by Max-G. Beauvoir. Dedicated to the understanding and to the promotion of Vodun as the Religion and Culture of Haitian people, sounds and images. ]
The Integration of Roman Catholicism Into Vodou In Haiti - Hunter College student paper discussing the interaction between Catholicism and Vodou in Haiti, from colonial times to the present.
The New Orleans Voodoo Foundation - Excellent educational resource about New Orleans Voodoo. Contains an extensive Voodoo Glossary,Vever Drawings, FAQ page, and a free service in which email questions are answered by Authentic practitioners.
Meta Description: [ Voodoo Authentica of New Orleans provides authentic ritual entertainment, a complete line of Voodoo Products from Voodoo dolls, Gris Gris bags, Ju-Ju's, Spells, Potion Oils and Herbal Blends, Incense, Candles, Ritual Kits, Tools of Divination, Gift Baskets to Voodoo Books, Videos, Spiritual Cons... ]
The Quick and the Dead -- The Souls of Man in Vodou Thought - Essay by Richard Hodges on the Vodou concept of soul. Vodou recognizes three spiritual components which together with the physical body make up a man: the ti-bonanj (petit bon ange) little angel, gwo-bonanj (gros bon ange) big angel, and mt-tt (maitre tet) master of the head.
The traditional religion of Vodun (Voodoo) in Haiti - Collection of scholarly and informative documents, by various authors, on the history and practice of Vodun (Voodoo) in Haiti; part of an even larger site on Haitian history in general.
Meta Description: [ The traditional religion of
Vodun (Voodoo) in Haiti ]
The Vodou Forum - The Vodou Forum is a teaching forum for the discussion of Vodou, herbal magic and healing, and Makaya, Santeria/Lucumi, Palo, Jamaican obeah, etc. Teaching units focus on various lwa, or spiritual entities, and various concepts in Vodou practice.
Meta Description: [ Mambo_Racines_Vodou_Forum: Vodou_Forum ]
The Vodou Page - Articles by Mambo Racine Sans Bout, a legitimately initiated and ordained priestess of Haitian Vodou.
TRADITIONAL RELIGION IN AFRICA: The Vodun phenomenon in Benin - Academic essay on Vodun practices of the Fon, Gun, Mina and Ewe peoples of South Benin.
TravelingHaiti.com - Voodoo in Haiti. An look at the history of voodoo and its profound impact on this island nation. Also maps, photos, and a Creole dictionary.
tristatevodou - Discussion group dedicated to the practice of (Haitian) Vodou in the NY/NJ/CT Tristate Area. All servants of God, Gineh and the Lwa, as well as those who would like to learn more about the religion, are welcome. Open membership.
Meta Description: [ tristatevodou: TriStateVodou ]
Vodou Across the Water - A discussion forum for people practicing Vodou and living outside of Haiti. Discussion topics include availability of religious materials, job-related issues, Vodou in current events.
Meta Description: [ Vodou_Across_the_Water: Vodou Across the Water ]
Vodou Spirit: Casa Alta Gracia and Vodou Society in New Orleans - Homepage for Casa Alta Gracia, a house of Vodou headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. Content of the site includes articles on contemporary Vodou practice in the US, links, annotated reading lists and descriptions of Vodou services.
Vodou, voodoo, and western cultural anxieties - Academic article by John Cussans about the misrepresentations of Vodou in the Western media. Originally presented as a lecture at the October Gallery, London, in fall 2000.
Meta Description: [ news and views Haiti ]
Vodun (a.k.a. Voodoo) and Related Religions - Historical and practical information on Vodoun, its panteon, and its rituals, from religioustolerance.org
Meta Description: [ Vodun (and similar religions: Candomble, Lucumi, Macumba, and Yoruba) ]
Voodoo - Brief description of Vodoun as practiced in Benin, by a student of Martine de Souza [Research Manager of The Historic Museum of Ouidah, Benin]. Page also includes photos and artwork.
Voodoo - Website of Jean Kent, a Haitian houngan living in Florida.
Voodoo - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Article about the religion and practice of Voodoo [by whatever spelling] on the Web's free and open-edited encyclopedia.
Voodoo Lives on in West Africa - Article about Vodoun in Ouidah, Benin. Also discusses the religion's ties to Haitian Vodou and other Afro-Caribbean traditions.
voodoo-l - Open-membership forum for discussion of New Orleans Voodoo, with occasional comparison to Caribbean and African traditions
Meta Description: [ voodoo-l: Voodoo, hoodoo, and Vodou discussions ]
Voodoos and Obeahs - Phases of West India Witchcraft - By Joseph J. Williams (1932), e-text from the Internet Sacred Text Archive.
Windows on Haiti: Wisdom and Beauty in Haitian Vodou - Essay by Dr. Marie-Jose Alcide Saint-Lot, a scholar of Haitian popular culture with graduate degrees from Brooklyn College and CUNY. This paper first presented at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Meta Description: [ To raise the level of awareness about Haitian culture. To combat the persistence of negative images about Haiti in the media. To present the Arts and History of Haiti. To promote opportunities for Social Action leading to the economic development of a just and inclusive society. ]
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