The name Voodoo means “high and sacred of God.” There is no
right side and left side or light side and dark side in the Voodoo Religion.
There is simply one side which is through God and Loa.
The Voodoo religion is a very old religion. In Voodoo, there is
only one God, the belief in Christ and many Loa/Lwa. The Voodoo religion
consists of three major systems, which include the Rada, Petro and Ghede. The
Congo is also another system. All of the Loa/Lwa, the Forces in the Voodoo
religion, are divided into these systems. For example: Papa Ogu is Petro,
Erusile/Ezuile Freeda is Rada and Baron Criminel is Petro Ghede. Although these
names are different from the names used in Mother Africa, they are the same
entities. Practitioners of the Voodoo religion can very easily recognize the
Orisa from other African-based religions because they migrated to Haiti by way
of slavery. However, Papa Ogu’s name remains the same, among the others, in the
Voodoo religion.
The systems of the Voodoo religion were created during the time
of slavery. There were many Africans that landed in the country of Haiti. During
this time, the religion of Haiti was practiced by the Arawak Indians. The
Africans came to the island of Haiti with their diverse religions and cultures.
During the time of ceremony, each religion was placed within one ceremony. The
ceremony created the systems as following:
1. Rada — Erusile Freeda, known to many as Oshun, Erusile
Freeda Dahomey, Papa Dumbala Wedo, also known as Obatala, Papa Aqua, known to
many as Olokun. Dahomey, Guinea and Benin are included within the Rada
system.
2. Petro — Papa Ogu Felite (Haiti), Ogu Nago, Ogu Batala, Ogu
Chango, Chango, Erusile Dantour and many others. Nigeria, Benin and Nago, to
name a few, are within the Petro system.
3. Ghede — Baron Criminel (Haiti), Baron Samedi (Haiti), Baron
Lakwa, etc. Benin is a major country within the Ghede System. Although the
Barons are in the Ghede system, they are Loas. There are many spirits in the
Ghede system and they should not to be confused with Loa.
In the Voodoo religion, each Loa/Lwa has works and duties that
they carry out for the people. The answer to every problem that exists in this
world is within the works and duties of the Loa under God. If one is having
problems with love, then the answer lies with Erusile Freeda. If one is having
problems with faith and strength, the answer lies with Papa Ogu. If one is
having problems with direction, the answer lies with Papa Aqua, also known to
many as Olokun. If one’s problem is with family stability, the answer lies with
Erusile Dantour, the Petro mother of all. If one is having problems with
health, then Papa Dumbala is the Loa who has the remedies not limited to health
but also peace. If one needs to know the importance of the earth and the
medicines that she yields, then they should seek their answer from Couzin Zaka.
If the path of survival and destiny must be walked, then the answer lies with
Mali Louise. However, Papa Legba is the Loa that we pay respect to before any
works or ceremony can begin.
The belief system: One God, Jesus Christ (belief in Jesus
Christ for forgiveness of sins), the Loa and Holy Spirit (Loa are the
descendents of the one God and Loa carry prayers to God). The spirits of the Loa
also carry the prayers to God. Jesus Christ is a part of the prayers prior to
Voodoo ceremonies/rituals but is not a part of the Pantheon of the Voodoo
ceremonies/rituals.
Morals and Ethics:
The beliefs are the same as the Ten Commandments: you should treat people equal to yourself.
The beliefs are the same as the Ten Commandments: you should treat people equal to yourself.
Religious Holidays:
| January 6th | Lesrois (The three kings) The Erusiles are also celebrated on this day. |
| February 14th | The Erusiles |
| March 17th | Papa Dumbala Day |
| March 19th | Papa Loco Day |
| Palm Sunday | Palm Sunday starts Holy Week and the Humofor closes up everything. There are no ceremonies during this week. Some Humofors will put white cloths over everything, tie up shrines, and will not awaken anything until Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. |
| Easter Sunday | The beginning of the new year |
| May 1st | Zaka Day The celebration of Zaka is the 5th and the 14th. Ceremonies begin on May 1st and 2nd and last throughout the entire month. It is the beginning of agriculture. |
| June 24th | Papa Ogu Ferraile This is a seven-day service and usually runs June 24 – June 30 |
| July 16th-22nd | Saut d’Eau The beginning of a three day Pilgrimage to the spiritual waterfalls, paying homage to the Loa Erusile Dantour. |
| July 24th | Papa Ogu Felite The beginning of the celebration for Papa Ogu Felite, St. Jacques |
| July 25th | Papa Ogu’s Day (St. Jacque’s) This is a 7 day service July 25th – 31st |
| August 15th | Notre Dame D’aot, Fête Champette This is celebrated for the Erusiles. (All the female Loa) |
| September 29th | Papa Legba. This month is also celebrated for
Ersulie Dantour. Celebrations for the openings of life. |
| November 1st | Baron and Ghedes |
| November 2nd | Baron and Ghedes |
| December 8th | Erusile Freeda Religious Ceremonies start December 8th to celebrate the Immaculate Conception. Ceremony for Erusile Freeda until the end of the month. |
| December 24th | Bain Caille, Pile Fenille Baths for the house |
| December 25th | Christmas |
| December 31st |
Reveion
Reveion is a big ceremony with celebration of all the Loa. A big feast is made for the Loa. New resolutions. Lighting the candles. Giving thanks for the old year and asking for continuing guidance for the New Year. |
There is an organization that has become an important resource
and verification agency for African-based religions. If you wish to learn more,
contact the National African Religion Congress at (866) 725-6760.