Greetings Good People,

I didn’t have any plans for the day, so I decided to do what I do best: lounge around and browse YouTube. This led me to a very interesting documentary that I had to share with you all. Released in 1993 and directed by Jacques Holender, the film is entitled Voodoo. Its premise is centered around the history of Voodoo in Haiti and how it challenged the religious supremacy of the Roman Catholic Church. Voodoo not only played a political role, but it was also the driving force behind a lot of popular Haitian music.

A few points I took from the film are as follows:

• In 1503 the first of African slaves were brought to Haiti and forced to convert to the Catholic faith.
• Some of the slaves escaped from the plantations to the mountains, unifying and organizing into camps against the Spanish; tribal differences put aside, the slaves found a way to worship together.
• Voodoo has been mistakenly viewed as the “devil’s religion.”
• Those who practice Voodoo use the word “loa,” which are the spirits.
• The power of music and drumming brings on the possession; the master drummer sets the beat. And there is a particular drum pattern associated with the possession.

I don’t want to give too much away, because I do want you to enjoy the documentary. But if you’d like to discuss any of the information provided, please comment below.

Until Next Time…