Voodoo Religion example essay topic

Voodoo and its Origins Voodoo is a religion rich in heritage and founded in faith and community. The religion has been villain ized by western culture and has been wrongly portrayed as malignant and dangerous. The religion is not founded in any of the (known) "black magics" or fear popularized by Hollywood films, but rather it is based on balance and tradition. The religion is not something that should be encountered with inhibition or fear induced from childhood horror stories, but embraced for its strength and history.

Voodoo originated as an amalgam of African religions during the slave trade. As slaves were shipped from Africa to the Caribbean, groups of slaves sharing a similar heritage were broken apart to prevent any sense of community or bond between them. With no connection beyond the tortures of slavery, the slaves had little chance to establish any relationship to their fellow captives. They came from lifestyles far removed so one of the only opportunities for a common bond came from sharing their deep faiths (Erikson). Despite the fact that the religions were just slightly connected, these native faiths allowed an intellectual (as can be, given the narrow scope) exchange and common bond. With several different religions present in any given group of slaves, the majority of slaves adapted by holding a service which accepted all lineages and respected all ancestral lines of faith, both aspects being of primary concerns in African religions.

These services were effective in blending the rites and practices of many religions into one combination religion. This adaptation effectively created a new religion, voodoo, which translates to "spirit" in several African languages (Bout). Voodoo allowed the slaves to feel like part of their own group. This new-found unity was viewed as a threat to the French and British plantation owners of the newly settled colonies.

As a means to quell the religious unity, the plantation owners forbade the practice of religion and punished slaves who attempted to pursue voodoo. Catholicism was presented as an alternative to voodoo. Instead of accepting the Catholic religion, many slaves only incorporated it into the newly established voodoo religion. Catholicism remains an important aspect of voodoo, and several of its methods and rituals are currently practiced as. The punishments of practicing voodoo forced voodoo to remain secretive until slavery itself died out (Erikson). Voodoo became no more than a myth among slave owners.

In the three centuries of religious oppression, voodoo became a symbol of pride and independence for the slaves. Any pride in a slave is, of course, regarded as a threat to the slave owner. Rumors of human sacrifice and devil worship became prevalent in the social circles of plantation owners and slave traders. These statements had no validity, but traveled quickly throughout the Caribbean and America. The practitioners of voodoo embraced this fear as means to frighten their former masters and gain some respect in a world where they were deprived of everything. Former slave owners quickly found themselves duped into the beliefs of voodoo dolls and hexes.

Of course, many slave owners simply killed their slaves rather than be frightened by the voodoo. The practice itself is not actually frightening or powerful in any way, but that doesn't matter to superstitious folks like those in Salem. No historical evidence of human sacrifice or affiliation with Satan has been discovered (Voodoo), or likely ever will be. Primary religions involved in the African aspect of voodoo are Macumba and Candomble of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, and several now extinct tribes from the Congo's and Cameroon. These religions lay the groundwork for the course of religious ceremonies and contain the origins for the deities worshipped in modern voodoo. Voodoo's principle deity, Olorun is the voodoo equivalent to God.

Though the name can be traced to the Yoruba tribe, it is unknown if he is a remnant of the Catholic involvement in voodoo. Obatala is a composite of many tribes' primary god. He is represented as the giver of life and creator of human kind. Obatala is subservient to Olorun, but is said to have created the other, lesser Gods. For instance Eleggua, goddess of opportunity, and Oya, goddess of fire and wind, were both created by Obatala for humanity.

In addition to containing the gods of many African cultures, voodoo also expresses the belief in minor spirits who watch or protect specific objects or events, such as funerals. Spirits who were created at the beginning of life are referred to as Rada, and are worshipped as members to the family of Gods. Individuals who lived great lives or led the voodoo followers are sometimes elevated to the Spirit status and referred to as Petro. Many of the rulers who fought the slave traders in Africa and many of the priests who aided in the revolution have acquired this status. The voodoo culture has assimilated the Catholic saints in this way and acknowledge them as Petro (Vodun). As voodoo was founded in necessity, and relatively recently, it is one of the more lenient religions in terms of tolerance of relationship with other religions.

Voodoo's belief that all things connect to one's soul stresses the importance to not cause harm. Voodouers, (those who practice voodoo) believe every act can be enjoyed, if not for the act itself, then for the pride or satisfaction one can take in the results of the act. For that fact no act can be considered unselfish; and, therefore, it is most important to accept and spread happiness for the majority of mankind. Voodoo makes certain not to condemn those of other faiths and does not attempt to disprove or replace any. Current voodoo converts are encouraged to retain their pre-established religions and add voodoo as a means to enhance their spirituality. Those who practice voodoo are avid and devout in their religion; only they view the afterlife as centering more on one's "Inner Light" than on one's external beliefs (Vodun).

The afterlife is believed to be one of learning and of understanding. It's a place where the questions of the universe will finally be put to rest (Voodoo). The mystique of voodoo has remained, although action to dispel the negative connotations has made great advancements. Words commonly associated with voodoo are Haiti, voodoo dolls, zombies, and tools often associated with "black magic", such as the ever-popular hexagram. Though orthodox voodoo does not practice the arts of voodoo dolls or invoking zombies, the origins of both are quite intriguing. Voodoo dolls were used as a means of cursing or hexing an individual, most commonly a plantation owner.

No current Shan go or Mambo (priest or priestess) condones this act or grants it validity. It was never practiced religiously and is primarily a folklore that has been abandoned by legitimate voodoo. No cases of violence have been linked to voodoo dolls. In the voodoo sense of the word, the term zombie means an individual who is resurrected after death by a voodoo priest or priestess, not a student who's been studying for too long. This resurrected individual will possess typical superhuman physical traits often associated with the undead in folklore (superhuman strength, resistance to injury), but with limited mental capacity (think: Frankenstein's monster). The zombie will be bound to his resurrect or's will.

In actuality, some theories hold that a "zombie" was a person gravely ill who was administered heavy narcotics as a means to keep them alive (Erikson). In the poorly industrialized areas where voodoo emerged, medical utilities were scarce and of poor quality. Often, individuals were prematurely believed dead. Once "resurrected" by barely sublethal amounts of strong drugs, the individual would possess enormous strength and resistance to injury equivalent to that of a man on PCP (no personal experience here, I assure you). The individual would also be dependent on the priest to supply their now life-sustaining drug.

This dependence is effectively being "bound to a master's will". In extreme cases the "zombie" would go through physical effects of drug addiction which leaves the individual looking like a corpse. Voodoo has been greatly misrepresented in American society. It is an honorable and thoughtful religion that should be commended for it's tenacity through history and it's involvement in the lives of so many. Voodoo is not the stuff myths and horror movies; rather it is a peaceful, happy, and loving religion that can benefit many more than only those devout to Obatala.

Anyone who pursues knowledge owes it to themselves to give voodoo a trial run.

Bibliography

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Vodun (a. k. a. Voodoo)". Religious Tolerance. 2001.
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Voodoo (Vodou) Encyclopedia". Arcana. 2000.
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