The Dictionary describes Voodooism as ‘a religious cult practiced chiefly in Caribbean countries; involves witchcraft and animistic deities’.

If you have ever watched any movies, or television programmes, depicting the use of Voodoo, you will probably think it is something that is linked to the Dark Arts. One example is the ‘voodoo doll’. The voodooist crafts a doll and gives it the characteristics of a certain Living Person. They try to make the doll resemble the living person as much as possible. They then stick pins into the doll and the living person will then experience pain in the areas where the pins have been stuck so, if pins were stuck into the dolls eyes, the person may have intense pain in the eyes and may temporarily lose their sight, for instance. Based on this example, Voodooism appears to be focused on harming others, which is more akin to the dark arts, rather than any religion, which is about treating others as you wish to be treated. This is a common misconception based on limited knowledge of what Voodoo actually entails.

What you have to remember, is that films are fictional entertainment and Voodoo, as a religion, is not at all like it is depicted in the movies. Voodoo dolls, for instance, are meant to be used to attract positive experiences to the person, such as protection, for instance. The pin is used to attach a photograph of the person, before other things are attached such as flower petals or perfumes. As with anything, it can be used for evil, if it gets into the wrong hands.

Voodoo Beliefs
Voodooists pray to a number of Gods, called Loa, who are all connected to a different part of life: if you want more love in your life, then you would pray to Erzulie Freda, for example. Voodooists believe the Loa can enter people’s bodies as a form of spiritual possession and this practice is encouraged. People do all that they can to please the gods, in the form of ritualistic chanting, dancing and sacrifices.

One of the best parts of Voodooism is its ability to bring families and communities together. Prayer takes place in a temple and the community comes together not only to pray, but also to discuss their problems with others. It is a very sociable religion. The religious leader, known as the “houn’gan” is very well-respected within the community and often has political influence as well. He or she is the person people would go to for help with any problems they are having in any area of life. The religion offers support and comfort for its followers. Pope John Paul II said there was ‘fundamental goodness’ in Voodoo and this is largely down to their focus on bringing people together and sharing problems.

Voodooists also believe in a universal energy and the idea that the soul can leave the body during dreams and when possessed by a spirit, or Loa. Although some of their rituals involve animal sacrifices, there are other religions that do the same.