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For decades, Hollywood has inaccurately depicted Voodoo, leading to widespread misunderstandings among those unfamiliar with the religion.
While many things portrayed in films and TV are fictional, misconceptions about a major religion with approximately 60 million followers are significant. These ten widespread myths about Voodoo are just a few among many.
10. Voodoo Isn’t a Legitimate Religion
The term 'Voodoo' is an Americanized version of the original religion, which began in West Africa and spread globally. Vodun, practiced by the Gbe-speaking communities, evolved into various forms such as Candomblé Jejé in Brazil, Cuban Vodú in Cuba, Dominican Vudú in Spain and the Dominican Republic, Haitian Vodou in Haiti, and Louisiana Voodoo, where the spelling 'Voodoo' is still used.
Voodoo practices vary across cultures, but they all share the trait of being syncretic religions, blending elements from two belief systems. Haitian Vodou is among the most widely practiced today, with many Haitians incorporating it into their lives. While only 2.1% of Haitians claim Haitian Vodou as their main religion, its syncretic nature means many Roman Catholics also embrace aspects of it alongside their Catholic traditions. Over half of Haiti's population identifies as Roman Catholic.
9. Voodoo Is Rejected By The Catholic Church
This misunderstanding arises from Hollywood's dark portrayals of Voodoo. In truth, Voodoo and Catholicism are deeply connected, with many elements of the two faiths merging over time. Spiritualism is central to all forms of Voodoo. In Haitian and Louisiana Voodoo, many spirits have Catholic equivalents, such as representations of Mary and Saint Peter. Consequently, the Catholic Church has embraced Voodoo rather than condemning it.
The close relationship between the two faiths means many Voodoo practitioners have undergone Catholic baptism. This connection is relatively new, as historical tensions once divided them. Today, however, the two religions coexist harmoniously. Pope John Paul II openly discussed Voodoo, praising its practices for their inherent goodness. In the early 1990s, he attended a Voodoo ceremony, strengthening the bond between the two faiths.
8. Voodoo Dolls Are Tools of Torture
Movies often depict characters using Voodoo Dolls to inflict pain by stabbing them with pins, but this is a dramatic exaggeration. In reality, these dolls are almost always used for positive purposes. No matter how much you poke a doll resembling someone, it won’t cause them physical harm.
Pins are inserted into Voodoo Dolls not to harm but to attach photos of the person they represent, which could be the user or someone else. Additional items like flower petals, money, or other symbolic objects are often added to appeal to spirits. These dolls are intended to bring good fortune or positive outcomes, not pain.
7. Followers Engage in Black Magic
Hollywood often portrays Voodoo practitioners as using black magic through sacrifices or rituals, but this is inaccurate. Voodoo doesn’t distinguish between black and white magic; it’s simply a form of spiritual connection. This isn’t stage magic but a way to commune with spirits. While there’s no black or white magic, there is a concept called 'red magic.'
Red magic occurs when a practitioner summons an evil spirit or is influenced by one to perform harmful acts. The term 'red' comes from the spirit’s influence, often causing the practitioner’s eyes to turn red as a sign of possession. Beyond this, Voodoo spirituality is neutral, making terms like black or white magic irrelevant.
6. Followers Perform Animal Sacrifices to Complete Dark Rituals
While movies often show Voodoo rituals involving animal sacrifice, the reality is only loosely connected. Animal sacrifice is indeed a significant part of the religion, but it’s not about stealing the animal’s life force for spells. Instead, it’s about merging the life force with the Lwa (or Loa), the primary spirits in Louisiana Voodoo and Haitian Vodou. These spirits, also known as 'Mystères' or 'Invisibles,' serve as intermediaries between humans and the Supreme Creator.
Offering an animal to the Lwa combines its life force with the spirit’s, rejuvenating the Lwa. This renewal is essential because the Lwa are often drained from managing the universe’s daily operations for the Supreme Being. The life force from the sacrifice revitalizes them, enabling them to continue their duties. The Lwa appreciate this offering, which is why animal sacrifice is a common element in most Voodoo rituals.
5. Voodoo Followers Don’t Worship Any Deity
A widespread myth about Voodoo is that its practitioners don’t believe in a higher power. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as the core belief of all Voodoo traditions is the existence of one God, Bondye. Similar to Yahweh in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Bondye is the central deity. Voodoo is technically a monotheistic religion, though the presence of numerous spirits often leads to this misunderstanding.
Voodoo recognizes three types of spiritual entities. The Lwa are spirits of deceased family members, governing universal forces like good and evil, reproduction, health, and daily life. The Twins symbolize dualities such as good versus evil and joy versus sorrow. Lastly, the Dead are unclaimed souls of ancestors, often overlooked and potentially harmful, making their veneration a crucial part of Voodoo practices.
4. Voodoo Focuses Solely on Self-Interest
Movies often portray Voodoo as a tool for achieving selfish or harmful goals, leading to the misconception that the religion is about personal gain. While personal growth is a component, the primary focus of Voodoo is healing—whether for an individual or an entire community. This emphasis on healing is deeply tied to the regions where Voodoo is practiced.
Elizabeth McAlister, an expert in African religions at Wesleyan University, noted, 'In Haiti, there’s only one doctor per 10,000 people, so traditional healers handle health, psychiatric care, and pastoral duties. Priests and priestesses are the primary providers of social services.' Thus, Voodoo isn’t about personal benefit for the practitioner but about communal well-being. McAlister added, 'Haitians deserve modern healthcare, but in the absence of government or international support, they rely on those who are available.'
3. Voodoo Adheres to Rigid Rituals and Practices
In movies, Voodoo is often depicted as a rigid practice requiring exact adherence to avoid disastrous consequences. However, the reality is far more flexible, with countless variations in how Voodoo is practiced. Different priests may use entirely different methods to achieve the same outcome. Unlike many religions, Voodoo lacks a strict rulebook; instead, it is rooted in centuries-old traditions passed down across generations and continents.
Certain forms of Voodoo are closely tied to Islam and West African customs, while others are intertwined with Catholicism. There are no formal places of worship in Voodoo, though ceremonies may be held in designated spaces. Voodoo is deeply cultural, and its diversity across regions means there’s no central authority or strict guidelines for practitioners. Despite this, efforts are underway to create a unified platform for sharing Voodoo knowledge, leading to the formation of a federation among Haitian practitioners.
2. Voodoo Practitioners Can Resurrect the Dead
While few believe Voodoo priests can literally raise the dead, the misconception stems from the concept of zombies. The term 'zombi' first appeared in Robert Southey’s 'History of Brazil,' referencing a Voudon Lwa. However, Hollywood distorted this idea, turning zombies into brain-eating monsters. In reality, the Voodoo tradition of zombies is far removed from this portrayal.
Zombies in Voodoo originated from Candomblé Jejé but have no connection to the fictional monsters seen in media. Instead, they are victims revived by Bokors, priests who allegedly used them as laborers on sugar plantations. While no evidence supports this practice, the concept persists in Voodoo as a representation of a body devoid of its soul, consciousness, or intelligence.
1. Voodoo Followers Are Said to Bargain With the Devil
In the 18th century, Haiti, then under French rule, witnessed a historic slave revolt that led to its independence. French propaganda at the time alleged that Haitians struck a deal with the Devil to achieve freedom, a myth that persists today. When a devastating earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, televangelist Pat Robertson claimed it was divine retribution for this supposed centuries-old pact.
This assertion highlights a deep misunderstanding of Voodoo, though Robertson isn’t alone in this belief. The religion’s association with black magic often leads to assumptions about dealings with the Devil. In truth, Voodoo doesn’t recognize a Devil in the Christian sense, though a Lwa named Papa Legba is sometimes labeled as such in blues music. Papa Legba doesn’t dwell in Hell but serves as a gatekeeper at spiritual crossroads, controlling communication with the spirit world (Guinee).
