Altars Of Vodou example essay topic

VOODOO Vodou is a spiritual tradition which originated in Haiti during the period of French colonial slavery. Africans of many ethnic lineages were transported by force to Haiti, primarily to serve as agricultural slaves. The original Taino and Carib peoples of Haiti were exterminated in the invasion by the Spanish. During this historical period, Europeans from France and other countries, including pro-Stuart deportees from Scotland, settled in Haiti. Because so many lineages were represented, no one particular African service could satisfy all participants, especially since reverence for ancestral lines was so important. Therefore, each "nation" would take it's turn at a gathering.

This "take turns" approach eventually evolved into the of the Vodou liturgy. During this formative period, European pre-Christian entities such as Brigid, or Maman Brigitte in the Vodou tradition; and influences from the native Taino and Carib populations were also absorbed. There are denominations in Vodou, just as in many other religions. The first, and most widely known, is the orthodox Vodou. In this denomination, the Dahomean rite is given a position of primacy, and initiations are conducted based mainly on the Dahomean model.

A priest or priestess receives the ass on, a ceremonial rattle, as an emblem of priesthood. In this rite, a priest is known as a Houngan or sometimes Gang an, a priestess is known as a Mambo. People of many different faiths construct altars. Even people who do not belong to any particular faith may set aside a corner of a room where they sit and think, meditate and pray, do yoga or play an African drum. Many times they create impromptu altars which include many of the same objects - flowers, stones and crystals, sacred symbols photographs or images of the individual's ancestors, or of members of the extended human family in many countries, musical instruments, candles, incense, books on spiritual subjects. Consciously or unconsciously, when we build altars we are engaged in an effort to open that most enigmatic of all doors - the door between the human and spiritual world.

An altar is a representation of that very door in material terms - the altar is the door. When you sit in front of your altar, you are inviting the spiritual forces on the other side of this door to notice you, come and visit with you, and act upon you. Since most people living in the United States can not begin their practice in this religion by attending Vodou ceremonies, one of the first things we can do is to build an altar. The altars of Vodou are as varied as the individuals who practice the religion.

In a sense, a peristyle itself is an altar, large enough for the worshippers to dance around the center post, play drums, perform sacrifice, undergo possession - in short, to act out every aspect of the cosmic drama. Within the peristyle there are sometimes areas dedicated to a particular lwa - the cross of, or a small palm-leaf booth for Erzulie. Attached to the peristyle are smaller rooms called dj evo or bag i, in which the ceremonial objects of a Vodou society are kept. However, these objects, which include sacred rattles, sequined bottles for drink offerings, pot-t etes given during initiation, and clay pots called gov i, are of no particular use to those who have not undergone initiation.

A better model is found in the kay myste (from the French camille des mysteries, house of mysteries). These are small houses, often no more than ten by fourteen feet, in which are constructed individualistic altars to whichever lwa the owner of the kay myste serves. These altars incorporate many common materials, easily available everywhere in the world. They are remarkable for their individuality and beauty. Frequently altars in Haiti are constructed on a dirt floor, which may not be practical in the United States. However, you may have easier access to certain items such as crystals, ceramic vessels in particular colors, and so on.

Anyone may participate in Vodou. There are no gender, , age, , or national origin requirements, neither is anyone asked to renounce a pre-existing religious affiliation. In Haiti, the vast majority of Vodouisants are also Roman Catholics. There are various levels of participation, of course, just as in most other religions. A Vodou ceremony is public, and anyone may enter the peristyle, or temple, and observe. Singing and dancing are encouraged.

Because there is no centralized hierarchy paying salaries to Houngan and Mambos, and because a peristyle is private property, it is considered normal for uninitiated participants to make a small cash gift. This money is used to defray the cost of the drummers, food which is offered to the participants, and the general upkeep of the peristyle and of the Houngan or Mambo in charge. This is often hard to understand for people raised in the Judeo-Christian tradition, where priests, ministers, and rabbis are salaried professionals. Individuals who have an initiatory grade may participate in private ceremonies pertaining to other individuals of their own grade or lower.

A person with a lower grade may not participate in a ceremony conferring a higher grade of initiation, because the knowledge imparted is secret and because they are not competent to do so.