Introduction to history of Haitian Vodou

The history of Haitian Vodou is vast and fascinating, rich with culture and tradition.  Practitioners are referred to as “servants of the spirits”.  The Hatian Creole word Vodou harkens back to an Ayizo word that refers to the mysterious forces, energies, and powers that rule the world and all of those who live there.

Prior to 1685, the African divine principles of the Nana Buluku (also known as the God-Creator) and the Voduns (also known as the God-Actors) traveled from Africa to the Caribbean due to the European colonialism and the transport of those being enslaved from Western Africa.  During that time, the Europeans attempted to suppress the Vodun, however, the foundation of the religion was impossible to eradicate.

After 1685 through the late 1700s, Catholicism began to influence the Voduns due in large part to the rules of Saint-Domingue requiring all enslaved people be converted to the Catholic faith within eight days of arrival.  Those who practiced Hatian Vodou began to move their practice underground to avoid the control of the colonial authorities, however, they also began to incorporate their own images and rituals into the Catholic religion.  

Voduns began to replace their own lost prayers or rituals Catholic prayers and rituals as a means to maintain the connection with the spirits they meant to serve. The end result became a religion that was the results of many different cultures and ethnicities of people who had been uprooted from their own homes and moved into Haiti.  The Hatian Voduns relied heavily on their ancient traditions and rituals to maintain their connection with their ancestry.

However, the greatest and most important Haitian Vodou ritual of all came in 1791 with the Bois Caiman ceremony in which the spirit of Ezili Dantor possessed a priestess, received a black pig as an offering, and began the Haitian Revolution.  During the ritual, all those present vowed to fight for their freedom and ultimately resulted in the liberation of the Hatians from the European colonial rule.  In 1804, they achieved their liberation and continue to inspire strength and pride by imagining their ancestors’ courage, strength, and unity.

The same strength in unity, courage, and servitude in the spirits that allowed for the freedom of the Haitians once again was forced into the underground in 1835, when the practice of Vodou was made punishable.  The practice moved into a more underground role, but never lost its heavy influence among the people.  Even today.  The former president of Haiti, Papa Doc, worked hard to elevate the status of Vodou back into the spotlight and solidified its place as a national doctrine.  Haitian Vodou is not only practiced in Haiti, but in the United States, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas and parts unknown.

It is important to understand and reject the idea that Haitian Vodou is a Satanic practice or that it involves the use of Voodoo Dolls or black magic.  Such misconceptions were created and used by the Europeans as a means to instill fear and ostracize those who did not adhere to the prescribed religious model.   This fear and misinformation continues today through stereotypes and the media.  The practice of Haitian Vodou is one of spirituality, servitude, and respect that has ties to both its West African roots and the influence of the Catholic religion it was blended with in Haiti.