Phil:
OTOT
<< Voodoo is a superstition, but it works.>>
Here is my understanding of Voodoo:
Voodoo is a religion and a belief system imported from Africa , modified and patterned after African, Roman Catholic and local religious practices , and centered around a Supreme Deity (Bon Dieu) , lesser deities (loa) namely Roman Catholic Saints and African gods , the dead and the twins. The intermediaries between these deities and worshipers are the priests (hungan) , priestesses (mambo) in Vodu worship centers. The ceremonies involve Roman Catholic prayers, drum beats, dances, & eating. The lesser gods ( loas) temporarily take possession of one of the worshipers and send them into a trance. The possessed person (loa's horse) is the physical entity of an unseen loa, but very much a tangible and palpable presence of lesser gods dispensing advice and engaged in dancing, singing and all other activities in a religious environment. While in trance, their physical and facial contortions, the clothes etc represent the loa or the lesser god. Different groups worship different loas. In USA, Voodoo has assumed a different meaning - magical and curative activities of Voodoo doctors in the south.
JPR |
