Voodoo

=**Voodoo**=

General infomation:
Voodoo is a name for a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practices that come form traditional African religion and from Christianity. Voodoo comes from the an African word that means spirit, god, or sacred object. There are many forms of Voodoo that are practiced in Haiti and other Caribbean countrys, Brazil, Benin, and in parts of the the United States. Voodoo followers (or voodooists) believe in a supreme being and of the weak and strong spirits. Voodooists believe that each person has a protector spirit who rewards with happiness and punishes with illness. Voodooist also belive in reincarnation and that when they die they go to a place called Nan Guinin, which means .Voodoo followers also believe strongly in going to temple. They are one of the few ancient religions that allow both women and men priets. The priest perform yearly cerimonies for the benifit of the community. Sometimes, voodoo tempeles are part of a military like secret societies that were made to protect the congregation from abuse and exploitation from outsiders. #**1**

Voodoo Revolution:
There are two different ways to spell voodoo: Voodoo and Vodoun. The strength that the Africans in Haiti collected from their religion was so strong and powerful, that they were able to live through the evil persecution of the French rulers against Voodoo. The Voodoo priests consulted their oracle and discovered how the political battle would have to be fought in order for them to win. The revolution exploded in 1791 with a Petr- ritual and wouldn't stop until the Haitians won independence. Today the system of Voodoo reflects its history. We can see the African ethnic mixture in the titles of different rites and in the pantheon of Gods or Loas, which is made of deities from everywhere in Africa. #**2**

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This picture shows Voodoo followers praying to the god Enqie in Haiti (#3)

West African Voodoo:
The West African Voodoo, has primary emphasis on their ancestors, with each family of spirits having their own priest and priestes. In many clans, the deities might include Mami Wati, which are gods of the waters. Gu, ruling iron and smithcraft. Sakpata, who rules diseases, and lots of other spirits who are different in their own way to West Africa. #**3**


 * This picture shows voodoo followers dancing in a trance (#2)**

**Who practices the religion and similar religions**:
In the current day, 60 million practice this religion all over the world. In South America, you can find almost the same types of religions called Umbanda, Quimbanda, and Candomble. There are many different types of Voodoism, but there are also 2 misleading typcanes of Vodooism: A real, practiced religion, called Vodun, is sometimes mixed up. This is different, and is practiced in Benin, Domini Republic, Ghana, Haiti, Tofo, and some centers in the United States; mostly where the Haitian refugees have settled down. There is also, an imaginary religion, also called Voodoo. Hollywood created this relgion specifically for movies, and is complete with violence, "unique" rituals, and other gruesome things. As far as we know, this does not actually exist.#**4**

Origin:
Voodoo is the worlds oldest religions. Voodoo originates in Benin and the surrounding areas. Voodoo then moved to the West Indies, especially in Haiti. When the first African slaves came to Haiti they did not interact with one another. They practiced voodoo in private. The slaves started to have extended families, they began to share their beliefs and practices. A lot of the traditions came from other faiths. After the Haitian revolution against the French control ended in 1803, traditions were combined, and everybody worshiped one person. In 2003, the Haitian goverment made Voodoo a religeon in Haiti. #**5** 1 [|www.worldbookonline.com] 2.www.swagga.com/voodoo.htm 3.http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Voodoo 4.http://www.religioustolerance.org/voodoo.htm 5.[|www.worldbookonline.com]**
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This picture shows a voodoo priest praying for the safety of his community in Togo (#2)