Vodou

Vodou, or Vodou/Vaudou, is a syncretic Afro-Caribbean religion developed among enslaved Africans in the French Caribbean and practiced today mainly in Haiti and the Haitian diaspora. It blends West African traditions—especially Fon, Ewe, and Yoruba—with Roman Catholicism and Indigenous Caribbean beliefs. Central to Vodou is Bondye, a distant creator god, and a pantheon of spirits called lwa (loa) who act as intermediaries between humans and the divine. The lwa include Legba, Erzulie, Ogou, and others, each with specific rites.

Ritual life centers on community ceremonies held in spaces called peristil or temples. Practitioners include houngans (priests) and mambos (priestesses). During ceremonies, offerings of food, drink, candles, and sometimes animals are presented to the lwa. Music, drumming, and singing are essential, and rites may feature trance possession in which a lwa inhabits a devotee to communicate, heal, or guide. Altars, veves (symbolic drawings), and sacred objects organize the ritual work.

Vodou is heavily syncretic with Catholicism: many lwa are linked to Catholic saints, and prayers may blend both. The religion has traditionally been transmitted through families and houses (nations) with a hierarchical leadership and initiation paths. In Haiti, Vodou has a long history and remains a significant element of culture, social life, and healing for communities. Forms of Vodou in the Americas have evolved, such as Louisiana Voodoo, reflecting local histories and blends.

Scholarly and popular depictions vary; Vodou is not monolithic and is often misunderstood as a single, negative practice. In reality, it encompasses diverse beliefs, ritual practices, and ethical frameworks focused on community welfare, healing, and connection with ancestors and spirits. It is recognized as a religion in many legal contexts and continues to adapt to changing social conditions worldwide.