The origins of voodoo

An ancient and often misunderstood religion, Voodoo is one of the many pre-Christian religions that date back to West Africa and Haiti. Despite the fact that Hollywood and the mainstream media have described him as evil, many of the deities and practices are in no way used for demonic or negative purposes. Instead, they share similar characteristics to Catholicism and some pagan religions. You have a God, but multiple deities that rule over nature, emotions, and even certain animals. Where Voodoo has the most bad reputation is for its rituals and negative uses in certain regions of the world.

The ancestor worship in voodoo is very frequent in prayers and rituals, but with a twist. Instead of an afterlife, followers believe that their dead ancestors still live among themselves as spirits. Other than that, practices and rituals vary from one congregation to another. Many still believe in animal sacrifices to show gratitude for a successful hunt, harvest, or other joyous occasions. One that remains strong is the appointment of Queen Mothers (similar to bishops or imams, but done to meet the spiritual needs of their respected family clans). They are usually the oldest women in the clans and receive a title based on their most respected ancestors (just as theirs is given to the Pope).

Animal sacrifices can make some unbelievers turn green on their faces, but other rituals have a more tolerable place in voodoo. Special talismans, or "fetishes," are sometimes made from or are parts of dried animals that help recharge a worshiper's soul or are provided for certain purposes (ie, protection from evil). Other talismans are created from plants or other natural resources. The famous "Voodoo Doll" is one of them, but it's far from the doll-shaped cushion used in Haitian voodoo.

Where Voodoo has been known for its negative uses is in the American Southeast and in any country that brought slaves from West Africa. During captivity, many practitioners cast spells and spells on their owners and bosses when their co-worker was beaten or killed. One of the signs that they were used was a black X that can be found in or around old slave quarters. Some slaves even went so far as to disfigure free pendants given by Christian missionaries to show honor towards certain female deities. Many of those pendants were made of gold or silver at the time, making them last for generations.

Today, voodoo is a minority religion that has survived and has kept a strong following ever since. It still prevails in West Africa to some extent, but Haiti and the US. USA (Specifically Louisiana and other southern states) have the best-known presence when religion is mentioned to non-believers. Like other religions, voodoo has and can be used for both good and bad purposes. However, many choose the former due to the consequences that may arise with the latter (having a hexagonal backlash is one of them). Otherwise, voodoo as a whole can be as complex and positive as other organized religions, but with its own set of beliefs and deities to worship.