The Encyclopedia of World Religions

470 S Voodoo

and singing. The goal of the drumming, dancing, and singing is to bring about spirit-possession. A spirit takes control of a human body, uses it as its “horse,” and in that way communicates with human beings. Major spirits have their counter parts among the Catholic SAINTS , and Voodoo fes tivals often take place in conjunction with Cath olic festivals. At times the Catholic Church has attempted to suppress Voodoo, because it found the mingling of African spirits and Christian saints offensive. Although it is possible to serve the spirits on one’s own, Voodoo also has its own religious spe cialists. A male priest is called a houngan; a female priest is called a mambo. They oversee festivals, practice divination, bless, and heal. Voodoo also has its anti-social side. Those who practice Voo doo call that side the “work of the left hand.” It involves serving spirits that one has bought and using the bodies of the recently deceased for slave labor (zombies). Toward the end of the 20th century economic deprivation and political instability forced many people to flee Haiti for North America. As a result, Voodoo spread to Miami, New York City, and other places in the United States.

slaves revolted. In 1804 they established their own country, the first republic ever established by Africans. Records from this time are scarce. Never theless, it seems that Voodoo played a part in the slave revolt. The religion combines African spirit worship with aspects of R OMAN C ATHOLICISM , the official religion of Haiti. Those who practice Voodoo believe in a supreme G OD . They call that God Bondye, from the French phrase for “good God.” But Voodoo practitioners consider Bondye distant and inacces sible. Their religious life centers instead on various spirits. These spirits are above human beings, but not so high as Bondye. Some spirits are ancestors; others are associated with natural phenomena. They are organized into “nations.” One common system speaks of two nations of spirits: sweet spir its, which are kindly, and hot ones, which are pow erful and energetic. People serve spirits that their mothers and fathers served. They also serve the spirits of the areas where they live. At its simplest, one serves spirits by lighting candles, saying PRAYERS , and giving offerings. But Voodoo knows larger observances, too. The RITUALS at major festivals include the sacrifice of an ani mal (often a chicken), feasts, drumming, dancing,