An eerie cult still practiced today: how voodoo became a form of Catholicism
An eerie cult still practiced today: how voodoo became a form of Catholicism

Video: An eerie cult still practiced today: how voodoo became a form of Catholicism

Video: An eerie cult still practiced today: how voodoo became a form of Catholicism
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Voodoo is a kind of Catholicism
Voodoo is a kind of Catholicism

Most commoners with a cult voodoo most often they associate dolls studded with needles, dried monkey heads and creepy sorcerers. But few people know that at one time voodoo was officially recognized as one of the varieties Catholicism.

Benin is the birthplace of the voodoo cult
Benin is the birthplace of the voodoo cult

The origins of the cult originate from the small African state of Benin. In this country, literally everyone practices voodoo. However, the most famous place for the spread of the cult is now called the countries of Central America, in particular Haiti.

Voodoo in Haiti is a mixture of Catholicism and African deities
Voodoo in Haiti is a mixture of Catholicism and African deities

As is often the case, the cult entered the country along with African slaves back in 1503. However, it changed its original form due to the massive spread of Catholicism. Despite the fact that the slaves were baptized en masse, they found a way to preserve their deities by “hiding” them behind the images of Catholic saints. The Virgin Mary became Erzuli - the patroness of beauty, and Saint Peter - the guide between the world of the living and the dead by Pope Legba.

Sacrifices are an integral part of the voodoo cult
Sacrifices are an integral part of the voodoo cult

The French colonies of Louisiana and Haiti have become real strongholds of the renewed religion. In the early 19th century, as a result of the outbreak of the Haitian Revolution, all Catholic preachers were expelled from the island. After that, voodoo acquired the signs of an independent religion: a church, saints, customs.

In 1860, the Pope recognized voodoo as a form of Catholicism
In 1860, the Pope recognized voodoo as a form of Catholicism

In 1860, in order to somehow improve relations with voodoo adherents, the Pope recognized the cult as a kind of Catholicism. He also had to approve of ritual animal sacrifices, obsession and dancing in ecstasy.

Voodoo cult. Ecstatic dancing
Voodoo cult. Ecstatic dancing

The "new form" of Catholicism fulfilled the division of the gods: the supreme deity Bondieu (the name is nothing more than a distorted form of the French "bon Dieu" - "good god") and the rest of the Loa pantheon. Bondieux fulfills a nominal function in voodoo. According to their convictions, he only created the world and everything. The real control of mortals is carried out by the Loa - voodoo deities disguised as Christian saints.

Skulls are an integral part of the voodoo cult
Skulls are an integral part of the voodoo cult

Haiti is famous not only for the cult of voodoo. Today Haiti is a romantic destination with beautiful beaches and a unique blend of African, European and Caribbean traditions.

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