Voodoo Facts

Voodoo is an Ancestral and Nature tradition, in which spiritual transformation is achieved via the direct communion with specialized Voodoo gods (of nature), born within the respective African lineage's, and the ancestors who served them. Honor and supplication is also bestowed to those ancestors who have evolved, and those who are in the process of evolving, as well as those who have lived lives that were both distinguished, and infamous/notorious. It is believed that lessons can be learned equally from all paths.

Voodoo is a religion of many traditions. Each group follows a different spiritual path and worships a slightly different pantheon of spirits, called Loa. The word means "mystery" in the Yoruba language. Yoruba traditional belief included a chief god Olorun, who is remote and unknowable. He authorized a lesser god Obatala to create the earth and all life forms. A battle between the two gods led to Obatala's temporary banishment. There are hundreds of minor spirits. Those which originated from Dahomey are called Rada; those who were added later are often deceased leaders in the new world and are called Petro. Some of these are

• Agwe: spirit of the sea

• Aida Wedo: rainbow spirit

• Ayza: protector

• Baka: an evil spirit who takes the form of an animal

• Baron Samedi: guardian of the grave

• Dambala (or Damballah-wedo): serpent spirit

• Erinle: spirit of the forests

• Ezili (or Erzulie): female spirit of love

• Mawu Lisa: spirit of creation

• Ogou Balanjo: spirit of healing

• Ogun (or Ogu Bodagris): spirit of war

• Osun: spirit of healing streams

• Sango (or Shango): spirit of storms

• Yemanja: female spirit of waters

• Zaka (or Oko): spirit of agriculture

There are a number of points of similarity between Roman Catholicism and Voodoo:

• Both believe in a supreme being.

• The Loa resemble Catholic saints, in that they were once people who led exceptional lives, and are usually given a single responsibility or special attribute.

• Both believe in an afterlife.

• Both have, as the centerpiece of some of their ceremonies, a ritual sacrifice and consumption of flesh and blood.

• Both believe in the existence of invisible evil spirits or demons.

• Followers of Vodun believe that each person has a met tet (master of the head) which corresponds to a Christian's patron saint.

Followers of Voodoo believe that each person has a soul which is composed of two parts: a "gros bon ange" or "big guardian angel", and a "ti bon ange" or "little guardian angel". The latter leaves the body during sleep and when the person is possessed by a Loa during a ritual. There is a concern that the ti bon ange can be damaged or captured by evil sorcery while it is free of the body.

The purpose of rituals is to make contact with a spirit, to gain their favor by offering them animal sacrifices and gifts, to obtain help in the form of more abundant food, higher standard of living, and improved health. Human and Loa depend upon each other; humans provide food and other materials; the Loa provide health, protection from evil spirits and good fortune. Rituals are held to celebrate lucky events, to attempt to escape a run of bad fortune, to celebrate a seasonal day of celebration associated with a Loa, for healing, at birth, marriage and death.