Sally from Liverpool: Where did the voodoo cult originate? Is it evil (voodoo dolls)? What has been written on the subject?

Voodoo was originally a West African religion. The word “voodoo” comes from an African word for spirit or divinity and has probably been around for several thousand years. The word is often used as a blanket term for a great variety of Afro-American religions. Voodoo is traditionally practiced by the Yoruba people. Nowadays it is mainly practiced in Benin, the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Haiti, Louisiana and Togo. Other religions closely related to the Yoruba tradition are practised in Cuba (Santeria) and Brazil (Umbanda, Macumba, Candomblé). Voodoo is recognised as an official religion on Haiti. In Benin it is the national religion and celebrated annually as a religious festival on January 10th.

Voodoo is often seen as so-called “black magic”. This view is nurtured by the existence of a cult of the dead and the belief in reanimation of the deceased. There have also been rumours of child killings. Voodoo sorcerers were said to have used the blood of children in secret ceremonies. Nowadays there are ceremonies involving the ritual slaughter of animals. The practice of animal sacrifice itself is not contested; what is, is whether or not this is done as a magic practice. On the other hand, accusations of practices such as child sacrifice abound in the history of religion and are almost always little more than propaganda.

Created: 11:48 AM | Author: Jörg Dahlmann | Category: Card readings  |  Comments [0]