The African Spiritual Roots of Haitian Vodou (original) (raw)

A Transatlantic History of Haitian Vodou, 2021

Abstract

Chapter 2 examines Dahomian theology and the major traits of Vodun, including organization, hierarchy, practices, and rituals like initiation and the Annual Feast of the vodun (spirits), as well as the place of amulets, the tovodun, and the role of prohibitions in the service of spirits. The aim is to reveal Haitian Vodou’s African religious foundations. Discussions include the music of initiation, the relation of music to possession, and spiritual categories in Vodun religion. The naturalization of foreign vodun in Dahomian royal religion reveals ancient syncretistic approaches to conquest. The Aja-Fon spirits examined include the personal vodun Legba, the divination spirit Fa, the python vodun Dangbe and Dan, the panther vodun Agasu, plus Adjahouto, Hebyoso, Aizan, Loko, Djisò, Dan-aïdô-ouêdo, Lënsouhouè, the tohosu, Mahu and Lisa the creator couple, Sakpata, and the sacred twins. Hueda’s Dangbe temple and the politics surrounding the Dahomian King’s re-ranking of temples in 1727 are examined.

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