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The Influence Of Voodoo In Benin

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Vodun (aka. Voodoo) has been practiced in Benin since the democratic government evolved. Approximately 60% of the Benin practice Vodun. It was formally recognized as Benin's official religion in 1996.

Similar religions (Umbanda, Quimbanda & Candomble) that branched from Vodun are found in South America.

Vudan dates back as far as 6,000 years in Africa. The name came from the god Vodun of the West African Yoruba people who lived during the 18th and 19th century in today's countries of Togo, Benin and Nigeria, formerly known as Dahomey .

Other religions (Macumba, Candomble, Umbanda and Santeria) bear many similarities to Vodun. Like Christianity, Vodun is a religion of many traditions. Each group follows a different spiritual path and worships …show more content…

Olorun appointed a lesser God Obatala to create the earth and all life forms. There are hundreds of subsidiary spirits called Rada. Spirits called Petro were added later (often deceased leaders) in the new world.There are a number of points of similarity between Roman Catholicism and Vodun: Both believe in a supreme being, an afterlife, believe in the existence of invisible evil spirits or demons, and have a ritual sacrifice and consumption of body and blood.

Followers of Vodun believe that each person has a soul which is composed of two parts: a gros bon ange or "big guardian angel", and a ti bon ange or "little guardian angel". The ti bon ange can leave the body during sleep or when a person is possessed by a Loa during a ritual. They believe it is possible that the ti bon ange can be damaged or captured by evil sorcery while it is free of the body.

Vodun rituals rituals are used to make contact with spirits, as well as gain their favor by offering them animal sacrifices and gifts. The human and Loa depend on each other; humans provide food and other materials; the Loa provide health, protection from evil spirits and good fortune. Rituals are held to celebrate lucky events, to attempt to escape a run of bad fortune, to celebrate a seasonal day of celebration associated with a Loa, for healing, at birth, marriage and

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