The Importance Of Voodoo In Haiti

Rachael Clenney

Mr. Rafalowski

English Comp II

2 December 2015

Hoodoo Da’ Voodoo: Da’ Haitians Edwidge Danticat’s short story, “A Wall of Fire Rising” is about a woman whose family lives in Haiti and follows some Voodoo principles. An article by A to Z World Culture lists some of the denominations commonly found in Haiti, “Roman Catholics comprise 55 percent of the population, Baptists 8 percent, Pentecostals 3 percent, Adventists 2 percent, and Methodists a little over 1 percent” (Religion). Voodoo is the most practiced religion in haiti, with Christianity at a close second. While some people think of voodoo as just dolls, spirits, and witches, the Columbian Encyclopedia defines it this way, “Voodoo contends that all of nature is controlled

One might find many religions, denominations, and supernatural belief systems in Haiti, while nearly 10% of the population follows no religion at all. Approximately 2% of the population reports Voodoo to be their primary religion, however, close to 50% of the population practices Voodoo along with Christianity (Religion in Haiti). Haiti is the oldest black republic in the world; it’s the only country ever established by a nationwide rebellion of slaves. The Voodoo practice and religion gave the slaves hope that they will survive the New World. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Voodoo was introduced to the natives of Haiti where it flourished and became the most favored religion of Haitians to date. Voodoo was brought to Haiti by slaves from areas of West Africa now known as Benin and Congo, where the religion is practiced by nearly 60% of the population (Voodoo). The religion quickly blossomed in areas of oppression on the island of Hispaniola. The natives were able to outstand wars, revolutions, and natural disasters for over five centuries because of their faith in the spirits. The voodoo belief system has also helped the Haitians through slavery issues and the progression towards becoming free men and women. Another form of magic was introduced in African American communities in the United States named “hoodoo” (Pettinger, Alasdair). It had different types of magic and witchcraft than the original Voodoo, but still the same principles. Souvenance is a small town located in a valley about 100 miles north of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, and is where they hold an annual Easter festival attracting thousands to the culture, spirit, and spiritual rituals of Vodou (commonly called Voodoo outside of Haiti). Souvenance, Haiti is where the most important Vodou sanctuary is located. The