What is voodoo?
Q: What is voodoo?
A: Voodoo is a West African animist, spiritual folkway that some classify as a religion. It is more of a way of life and involves supernatural ancestral connections, rituals, and spiritual practices passed down by word of mouth.
Q: What are the roots of voodoo in the Americas?
A: The roots of voodoo in the Americas come from the Fon, Ewe, and Yoruba people of Africa. The word "vodún" is the Fon-Ewe word for spirit.
Q: How does voodoo differ from religion?
A: Voodoo differs from religion in that it does not have formal organization or hierarchy of ordained leaders like many religions do. It also does not have texts or buildings constructed for worship like many religions do. Instead, it relies on oral tradition and spiritual practices to pass down its beliefs from one generation to another.
Q: What types of spirits are important in voodoo?
A: Both spirits of nature and dead people are important in voodoo. Spirits of family members who have died are especially significant since they can be called upon for protection or other influences over the material world.
Q: Does music play an important role in voodoo?
A: Yes, music plays an important role in voodoo with rituals often involving music and dancing accompanied by drums playing most of this music.
Q: Is having a spirit enter your body wanted in voodoo? A: Yes, having a spirit enter your body is seen as desirable as it can speak for gods or dead people you love while also helping to heal or perform magic.
