Vodou-Syncretism in the Caribbean
Content Page
Introduction 1-2
Definition of terms 3-5
How the process of syncretism started in the Caribbean 6 effects of syncretism in the Caribbean 7
Essential beliefs of vodou 8
Simple vodou ritual 9
Similarities between vodou and Catholism 10
Contemporary Vodou 11
Myths and misconceptions aboutVodou 12
Notes 13
Conclusion 14
Bibliography 15
1
Introduction
People in the Caribbean follow certain Caribbean religions and are greatly influence by their teachings. These religions of the world give their followers some sort of spiritual satisfaction, social acceptance, self reflection, upliftment and meaning to life. Religion played a great role in the development in the Caribbean regions, since it embraces many cultural elements including personal creed or belief, folk medical practices, ethics and values which have been transmitted from generations to generations through various avenues such as; stories, songs, proverbs and other forms of artistic expressions. Caribbean religions may be classified into several major categories according to Simpson 1978 as quoted in the book Understanding The Contemporary Caribbean.
First we have the Neo-African religions. These developed historically within the context of the slavery and preserved a fair amount of African religions traditions, which have combined with Roman Catholic beliefs and practices. They include Vodou in Haiti; Santeria in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico; and can Domble and Macumba in Brazil.
The second category includes the ancestral religions that have preserved fewer African traditions and derive from various forms various forms of Protestantism imported to the Caribbean by Christians missionaries during the nineteenth century. These include
Introduction 1-2
Definition of terms 3-5
How the process of syncretism started in the Caribbean 6 effects of syncretism in the Caribbean 7
Essential beliefs of vodou 8
Simple vodou ritual 9
Similarities between vodou and Catholism 10
Contemporary Vodou 11
Myths and misconceptions aboutVodou 12
Notes 13
Conclusion 14
Bibliography 15
1
Introduction
People in the Caribbean follow certain Caribbean religions and are greatly influence by their teachings. These religions of the world give their followers some sort of spiritual satisfaction, social acceptance, self reflection, upliftment and meaning to life. Religion played a great role in the development in the Caribbean regions, since it embraces many cultural elements including personal creed or belief, folk medical practices, ethics and values which have been transmitted from generations to generations through various avenues such as; stories, songs, proverbs and other forms of artistic expressions. Caribbean religions may be classified into several major categories according to Simpson 1978 as quoted in the book Understanding The Contemporary Caribbean.
First we have the Neo-African religions. These developed historically within the context of the slavery and preserved a fair amount of African religions traditions, which have combined with Roman Catholic beliefs and practices. They include Vodou in Haiti; Santeria in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico; and can Domble and Macumba in Brazil.
The second category includes the ancestral religions that have preserved fewer African traditions and derive from various forms various forms of Protestantism imported to the Caribbean by Christians missionaries during the nineteenth century. These include
Bibliography: Hillman Richard .S & Thomas J.D’Agostino( 2003),Understanding The Contemporary Caribbean Ian Randle Publishers,11 Cunningham Avenue, Kingston 6,Jamaica Matthews Warren (2007),World Religions 5th Edition Thompson Higher Education,10 Davis Drive ,Belmont,CA.94002-3098, U.S.A Mustapha Naseer.( 2007).Sociology for Caribbean Students Ian Randle Publishers,11 Cunningham Avenue, Kingston 6,Jamaica "West African Dahomean Vodoun: The world 's oldest nature religion," at: http://www.mamiwata.com/ “W est African Dahomean Vodoun: Historical background," at: http://www.mamiwata.com/ Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on the net. . All rights reserved.