This book is probably the father of all voodoo books. It is a wonderful hotel which i have stayed in and is a mustsee for any visitor in haiti. I decided to use it here and then revise it partially on the basis of the responses to it. Haitian voodoo spells arent all that unique from the usual brand of voodoo magic, but its got a particular caribbean flair. His book meticulously lists and describes the various lowa and he shows how to serve them. Haitian vodou is a vibrant and fascinating indigenous tradition from the island of haiti. Haitian vodou drapo flag for erzuli and damballah vodou sequined flag from haiti this is a haitian voodoo flag made with sequins and silk. Vodou and voodoo have entwined destinies, and vodou will continue to suffer from ill repute as long as voodoo remains an outlet for the expression of racist anxieties. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any. This is the drawing of a voodoo spirit called erzuli dantor. The enduring appeal of voodoo is analyzed through its uses in touristic culture, film, television, and literature. The book belaboured some points, and darted quickly over other points, but overall it was an enjoyable read. Alfred metraux 19021963 has written a rich and lasting study of the lives and rituals of the haitian mambos and adepts, and of the history and origins of their religion.
This is the one book ive found thats been published in recent times that gives the most todate, realistic view of haitian vodou as it is as a way of life woven deeply into all things haitian. In the process of her meticulous delineation, kate ramsey offers in the world of geopolitics critical insights into the inevitable plight of the avantgarde, to use haitian anthropologist antenor firmins casting of the first black republic in. Haitian vodou explores this rich haitian tradition beginning with a look at haitian history and how the tradition known as haitian vodou evolved. Voodoo in haiti is a masterwork of observation and description by one of the most distinguished anthropologists of the twentieth century. The best books on haiti five books expert recommendations. Voodoo and life in haiti and jamaica by zora neale hurston, the serpent a. This is a handson approach kind of spellbook that will bring you up to speed quickly and has the potential to make you a true voodoo master. Read this book prayerfully, with a bible at your side and an eye on the realities of life in haiti. Haitian vodou monique joiner siedlakmonique joiner siedlak. He has been a specialist in voodoo magic for many years.
Yes, in the book the oloffson is called hotel trianon which is now managed by richard morse, who is also leader of the haitian racine band ram. Proceeds from the sale of understanding haitian voodoo support the ministry of radio 4veh. Haitian voodoo symbols and meanings vodou, book of shadows. Oct 17, 2017 haitian voodoo in the white house by bill muckler october 17, 2017 a clear vision, religion, voodoo leave a comment supreme chief of haitian voodoo max beauvoir stands close to a relief painting representative of a voodoo ceremony on february 24, 2010 during interview with afp in port au prince. The voodoo religion is native to haiti, having been fused from an uneasy union of african and roman catholic elements. I ordered this book in order to compare haitian voodoo to old testament israelite culture and like i thought there was a lot if similarities. Jul 08, 2017 this book shatters the misconceptions about voodoo, bringing clarity to its readers. Reading this book would also education you about feminist ethnography, while ushering you into the world of voodoo. Anna dressed in blood by kendare blake, tell my horse. It was a very interesting book if you desire more about rituals and ceremonies in voodoo.
Published by radio 4veh, the evangelistic voice of haiti, serving god and the haitian people through effective christian broadcasting since 1950. This site is like a library, use search box in the widget to get ebook that you want. Because hoodoo is folk magic, voodoo and afrodiasporic religions in the u. She sees vodou as a modern invention of the haitian genius, and the book is a platform for analyzing all the big issuesfrom imperialism, to slavery, neocolonialism, and us exceptionalism expressed as racial paternalismthat have made haiti what it has become. Introduction to voodoo in haiti webster university. Derens study of the voodoo gods and goddesses, voodoo s rituals, and its pervasive role in haitian life, is not simply one of the best books on the subject, but one of the most perceptive books. Introduction to voodoo in haiti by bob corbett, march 1988. Bob corbett march 1988 important note first and foremost voodoo is a religion. Many books about this subject are lacking in either history or practical information.
Though brought over from west african voodoo, this form as been heavily influenced by the practices of spanish and french settlers, as well as the creole population. Popular haiti voodoo books showing 150 of 62 the serpent and the rainbow paperback. Haitian vodou project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Without understanding the flow of haitis history and the cultural effects of its many wars, political turns and ecological trends, its impossible to even begin to grasp who and how the loa of haitian vodou really are. For the cover of my new book, farewell, fred voodoo to be pub a variant on erzulies symbol. Vodou sacred sites of haiti lakou soukri danach, gonaives with spiritual leader sevite mariecarme delvas haitian vodou also written as vaudou, vodun, vodoun, and voodoo is a syncretic religion practiced chiefly in haiti and the haitian diaspora. As well as the different parts of the soul that voodoo practitioners recognize. Ben fountains top 10 books about haiti books the guardian.
Kenaz filan has written a master piece on haitian vodou. It is considered by many as a primary source about the religion and its spirituality. Mar 28, 2016 it was a very interesting book if you desire more about rituals and ceremonies in voodoo. Well written, well researched book from someone in the know, who has an obvious love for the tradition and respect for the ancestors of it. Voodoo is the dominant religion and cultural reality of haiti. This is a good book to get if you want a comprehensive introduction and historical background to haitian voodoo. This is one origin of the stereotype that haitian vodou, new orleans voodoo, and hoodoo are all tricks used to make money off of the gullible.
List of books and articles about voodoo online research. One house is quicker and hotter and they may answer you request a lot qicker but do not get them ticked off and definitely keep you vows to them. Vodou and power in haiti uchicago press is a brilliant book, a nuanced remapping of how vodoun became voodoo and vodou. This book doesnt give you much information about the vodou religion, focusing instead on the practice, and the on structure of haitian society. This created what is called hoodoo in the southern part of the united states. The primary goal and activity of vodou is to sevi lwa serve the spiritsto offer prayers and perform various devotional rites directed at god and particular spirits in return for health, protection, and favour. Say voodoo in america everyone just thinks liousiana. Real voodoo spells with fast and permanent results high priest wilnor is considered as the best haitian voodoo practitioner. Voodoo in haiti by alfred metraux goodreads share book. Economists estimate that in the 1750s haiti provided as much as 50% of the gross national product of france. While it is of enormous value to rehabilitate the tarnished reputation of haitian 232 studies in religion sciences religieuses 412 downloaded from sir. But voodoo also spelled vodou or vodun is not an evil practice. In the spirits and the law she has left no stone unturned.
Instead, im going to focus more on the spirits of voodoo magic called loa also spelled lwa. Louisiana voodoo is a unique brand of voodoo practiced, as its name suggests, mainly in louisiana and the southeastern united states. Haitian voodoo flag please comment if you know the artist. Youll learn some of the major loa and the families they belong to. A harvard scientists astonishing journey into the secret societies of haitian voodoo, zombies, and magic is a 1985 book by anthropologist and researcher wade davis. It is still running and survived the earthquake of 12 january 2010. It was brought to louisiana from west africa and the haitian exiles after the revolution.
Haiti, once called the jewel of the antilles, was the richest french colony in the new world. The haitian vodou handbook download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl. An introduction to haiti s indigenous spiritual tradition. He investigated haitian vodou and the process of making zombies. Animal sacrifice offering, prayers to simbi makaya which is michael micaiah the archangel.
Voodoo believers are most numerous in haiti, where voodoo was granted official religious status in 2003, and in benin, where the religion has had official recognition since 1996. It is an amazing and colorful spiritual tradition comprised of ceremony, music, dances, prayers, magic, and community. However, there are a host of spirits or deities called loa which. Voodoo in haiti once upon a time, in a land called haiti, a religion of voodoo emerged. As i mentioned in the introduction, haiti is well known for its voodoo culture.
Spirit possession plays an important role in afrohaitian religion, as it does in many other world religions. Jul 30, 2017 support john razimus channel new tshirts. I have heard many houngans and manbos calling it the voodoo bible you can find many versions of this book on bookstores, including photos and illustrations. Through the authors perspective, this book will show you the importance of voodoo in haitian culture. Vodou in haitian life and culture invisible powers. From haitis culture and history, to vodous sacred beliefs, ceremonies, rituals, and practices grounded in ancestral communion, readers will get a rare look. Many of the practices and descriptions of voodoo belief may sound to us like rank superstition, but then, imagine the beliefs of christianity to people who know nothing about it. Haitian vodou by mambo chita tann an introduction to haiti. Written by a practitioner of the highest initiatory rank, haitian vodou by mambo chita tann is the only book offering a respectful, firsthand overview of this indigenous tradition. Click download or read online button to get the haitian vodou handbook book now. The power of voodoo to impoverish and enslave a nation.