Voodoo in Haiti Studied by Zora Neale Hurston The word Voodoo or also known as Vodou specifically in Haiti, is a syncretic religion that has roots in West Africa and Haitian culture. The specific Voodoo in Haiti is a religious practice that has a very significant history from a blend between African animist traditions and Catholicism. The religion that resides inside of Haiti is one that is very eye catching and something that is unique and one that has a dynamic belief system. Most of their practices consist of rituals, ceremonies, and the veneration of spirits, known as the Ioa, which serves the purpose of being the intermediary connection between the spirit world and the real world. This practice can give them a profound connection with …show more content…
Along with this, Voodoo is not just merely a form of mysticism, but it is something more resilient compared to other cultural heritages that still to this day influence art, culture, or even just the societal norms that people have along with their daily lives as a whole. Zora Neale Hurston was a prominent African American author and anthropologist. She was very well known for her novels” Their Eyes were Watching God”. During the 1930’s, with the desire to conduct anthropological research, Hurston traveled to Haiti in hopes to write and to learn about their culture. The time that she spent in Haiti was very significant because Hurston was able to engage with this spirited culture in this country. She was particularly interested in their specific religious practices, and the Haitian’s lifestyle as a whole. Hurston strived to understand the thorough intricacy of the Haitian society, focusing on its African traditions and influences as well. The explorations of Haiti’s cultural tapestries were very impactful for Hurston because of how it provided her with an important insight into the resilience, originality, and spiritual vision of the Haitian