Anna E. Shahrour REL 2300-60993 Ms. T. Lamont Word count: 1511 Haitian Vodun Historical background Haitian Vodun (written as Vodun, Vodou, or Voodoo) is an Afro-Caribbean syncretic religion practiced in Haiti. Although the specific origins of the Haitian Vodun are not known, it is most likely that this religion began to take form in the late 1700s (Simpson, 1945). The “Code Noir” (literally: the Black Code) stated that all slaves brought from Africa to the New World were to convert to Christianity and be prevented from having any sorts of meetings; however, the African slaves at the time always found a way to hold secret meetings, where the Vodun Religion was born, mostly from tales and magical and religious rituals from African cultures, …show more content…
Although one can argue that Vodun has monotheist grounds, Vodun followers do not seems to focus their rituals and prayers on Bondye, but rather on Loas, who they believe to be the actual caretakers of humans on behalf of Bondye (Michel, 1996). Also, one of the main differences between the Haitian Vodun and the monotheist religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) is that while those religions get their belief systems from sacred texts believed to be dictated by God, the Vodun religion has no sacred text nor a specific set of rules to abide by; the Vodun inspires each follower to understand the sacredness of every aspect of life and search for their own wisdom and happiness within the conditions and resources that Bondye and Loas have provided him/her with; all with the help of the ancestor’s spirits and guidance (Michel, 1996).Vodun is not only a spiritual religion, but is also a philosophy that influences its followers’ way of …show more content…
The systematic learning is a lifelong process to shape the Vodun follower and help him/her form their moral and religious principles (Michel, 1996). In the Haitian community, every Vodun follower is a teacher of his/her experience to neighbors and younger Vodun followers, and a learner from his/her family, elders, priests and priestesses, community, ancestors, and Loas spirits (Michel, 1996). Artists are considered important teachers through their artworks (Michel, 1996). In the Vodun tradition, there is an absence of hierarchy and a strong presence of functionality and fluidity (Michel,