- 464 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
This compelling reference work introduces the religions of Voodoo, a onetime faith of the Mississippi River Valley, and Vodou, a Haitian faith with millions of adherents today. Unlike its fictional depiction in zombie films and popular culture, Voodoo is a full-fledged religion with a pantheon of deities, a priesthood, and communities of believers. Drawing from the expertise of contemporary practitioners, this encyclopedia presents the history, culture, and religion of Haitian Vodou and Mississippi Valley Voodoo. Though based primarily in these two regions, the reference looks at Voodoo across several cultures and delves into related religions, including African Vodu, African Diasporic Religions, and magical practices like hoodoo. Through roughly 150 alphabetical entries, the work describes various aspects of Voodoo in Louisiana and Haiti, covering topics such as important places, traditions, rituals, and items used in ceremonies. Contributions from scholars in the field provide a comprehensive overview of the subject from various perspectives and address the deities and ceremonial acts. The book features an extensive collection of primary sources and a selected, general bibliography of print and electronic resources.
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Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Alphabetical List of Entries
- List of Entries by Topic
- Preface
- A–Z Entries
- Visual Representations of Vodou and Voodoo
- Primary Documents
- 1. Early Descriptions of New Orleans Voodoo, 1763–1863
- 2. Two Accounts of Voodoo in Missouri, 1880s–1890s
- 3. Reports of Marie Laveau’s Death, 1881
- 4. Mississippi Valley Voodoo Songs, 1885 and undated
- 5. Spenser St. John and Vodou, 1889
- 6. A New Orleans Voodoo Ceremony, 1904
- 7. Opening Ceremony from New Orleans Voodoo/Hoodoo, 1920s–1930s
- 8. Interview of Mambo Patricia Scheu (Vye Zo Komande LaMenfo), 2013
- 9. Congress of Santa Barbara Declaration
- 10. U.S. Library of Congress Changes Subject Heading from “Voodooism” to “Vodou,” 2012
- Bibliography
- About the Editor and Contributors
- Index