The Real Face of Vodou in Haiti: Photo of the Day
It’s easy to have misconceptions about vodou, the much-maligned and mischaracterized religion born in 18th century Haiti that in large part helped to fuel the most unlikely revolution the world has ever known. Almost universally, the practice is seen as bad, Satanic, or worse; misperceptions only amplified among those who a) are not Haitian, b) have never been to Haiti, or c) watch a lot of movies.
Think about it, have you ever seen vodou portrayed in anything even approaching a positive light in any Hollywood film or television production? Popular culture will have you believe vodou is all blood, gore, and animal sacrifice, with a good measure of zombie nonsense and playing with dolls thrown in to really give you the heebie-jeebies.
It’s all crap.
I went to a vodou temple exactly one month ago in Cap Haitien. I got to witness and participate in a vodou ceremony there. My experience was nothing like what Hollywood has led us to believe, much less what my parents witnessed when they went to a “Made For Tourists” vodou ceremony during my first visit to Haiti in the mid-70’s.
I’ll have a lot more to share about this amazing experience in a future post, but suffice it to say that no chickens lost their heads, no zombie spells were cast, no dolls were pricked.
Instead, what I saw – what I experienced, felt, and will never, ever forget – was a communal expression of love and joy best exemplified by the image above. For me, this picture really says it all about my first vodou ceremony… Is it any wonder I can’t wait for my second..?
Related Posts
Remembering Haiti Earthquake Victims: Photo of the Day
That Time I Went To A Vodou Ceremony in Haiti
