1. Vodou

2. Worldview Monistic Ashe Animistic &/or Panentheistic?
Ritual actions effect the world (magic)
Animistic &/or Panentheistic?
Lwas/loas associated with natural as well as cultural things
Multi-tiered – Heaven; world; Ginen
Relational – universe viewed as complex web of relationships & dependencies
Ginen - land of loa and ancestors

3. Theology Monotheistic or polytheistic, depending on definitions
Bondye (God) – Distant, unapproachable
Loas (lwas):
Many “Nanchons” (nations) pantheons
Two most recognized = Rada & Petro
Rada = “cool” (Dahomean)
Petro = “hot” (Haitian)
Bondye – God (faceless, unknowable)

4. Theology Lwas/loas (gods, spirits, saints) – very approachable
- les invisibles, les mysteres
Two main “nanchons” = Rada (calm, cool, African) and Petro (fierce, hot, Caribbean)
Some main Rada loas are:
Legba (Christ or St. Peter) = Crossroads, communication
Erzulie (Virgin Mary) = love, motherhood, sexuality
Damballah (St. Patrick, God the Father) = wisdom, support
Ogou (St. James) = defense, iron, alchemy
Gede/Baron Samedi (St. Gerard) = cemetaries, death, family, sexuality
The marassa (Christ) = honoured dead, ancestors
Erzulie and daughter Anais (or Mary and Jesus)

5. Theology Main Petro Loas:
Kafou Legba = trickster figure, aggressive defense of gateway to Ginen
Ezili Je‑Rouge (red eye) or Ezili Danto = rage and mother’s defense of threatened child
Ogou Ferary – fierce pleasures, fierce defense, aggression, strategy
Baron le Koa = harm to enemies, punish wrongdoers, death
Dan Petro = “father” of Petro loas - revenge
Ogou Ferary

6. Other Supernatural Beings
Baka
- spirits who serve both the loas and human magicians (bocor)
Ancestors
Souls:
Ti Bon Ange (little good angel)
Gros Bon Ange (big good angel)
Met tete (master of the head = guardian loa)
Mermaids, Loup Garou, Zombies

7. Ethics Ethics are situational and relational
Ethics are communal and consensual
No set ethical code – based on consensus on what equals morally reasonable, socially acceptable behavior
“Reasonableness” governed by principles of generosity; respect
Some acceptance of Biblical ethics: 10 Commandments, Golden Rule

8. Organization Oum’phor (hounfor) Konesans 3 levels of participation:
Ordinary parishioner
Ounsi (hounsi) - initiated “spouses” of loas
Houngan (male) and/or Mambo (female)

9. Varieties New Orleans Voodoo Li Grand Zombi (Damballah)
Papa Limba (Legba)
Doctor John ( )
Hoodoo
Gris-gris
Marie Laveau ( )
Folk Catholicism elements
Marie the Younger
New Orleans Voodoo Crossroads
Marie Laveau’s Tomb

10. Varieties Haitian Vodou Direct initiatory links to Haiti
Most dominant form in North America
Roots Without End

11. Varieties Vodou (Eclectic) Predominantly follows Haitian model
May or may not have initiatory links to Haiti
Draws on other sources of inspiration, i.e. other Afro-Caribbean traditions, Kabbalah, Tarot, Astrology
Voodoo Spiritual Temple
Book: Voodoo Visions

12. Rituals Oum’phor Peristyle Poteau-mitan Djevo (initiation room)
Veves
Fire & iron = Ogou
Mound & cross = Gede
Pool of water = Damballah
Djevo (initiation room)
Pe (altar room)
Loa symbols
Offerings
Pots de tete

13. Ritual Tools Drums Asson Clochette Rada drums Petro drums Assato drum
Calabash & wooden handle, snake vertebrae
Clochette

14. Rituals The Kanzo (initiation cycle) 2 week cycle Bat ge
Petro ceremony
Priye Ginen
Loa drum rhythms & songs
Spirit possession
Pakets

15. Rituals The Kanzo Ritual Baths Kouche Kanzo (lying down Kanzo)
3 days, 7 baths per day
Herbal baths
Funeral songs
Kouche Kanzo (lying down Kanzo)
Confined to the djevo
4-5 days
Kouri Ayizan
Spirit possession
Afterwards, baptism, wear white, abstain from sex & certain foods for 41 days, one year later, sponsor a ritual to honour their lwa