Bokor

Bokor is a term used in Haitian Vodou to describe a practitioner who engages in magical arts, often translated as sorcerer or witch. Unlike the houngan (priest) or mambo (priestess), a bokor is typically understood to operate outside the formal priestly office, though individuals may interact with or be part of Vodou communities. The role is not uniformly defined and can vary by lineage, community, and personal practice.

Bokors are associated with a range of techniques, including herbalism, charms, ritual work, and the invocation of loa (spirits). Some bokors are reputed to specialize in harmful or illicit arts, such as curses, poisons, or necromantic practices, while others may focus on healing, protection, or wealth. In many accounts, bokors work with secret knowledge and may be viewed with suspicion or stigma within broader society, even as they remain integral to certain Vodou networks.

Popular depictions often link bokors to zombies and the control of others through magical means. The idea of zombie creation—sometimes attributed to a so-called zombie powder—has been widely circulated but remains controversial in ethnographic and scientific research. Scholarly views emphasize that the bokor’s work is diverse and culturally situated, with some practitioners described as legitimate healers or protectors and others as social outsiders or troublemakers.

In summary, bokor denotes a Vodou practitioner whose activities span benevolent, protective, and harmful domains, with roles that are culturally variable and interpreted through local beliefs and practices.