Vodou

Vodou, also known as Vodun, is a complex religious system that is far from homogeneous in Haitian society. It encompasses various types of priests and practitioners who draw from different traditions and has different organizational structures. Here is an overview of the organization of Vodou:

1. Vodou Makout/Makousi: One of the most common types of Vodou in Haiti is known as Vodou makout/makousi, referring to “strawbag Vodou.” In this tradition, the gangan or manbo priests provide treatments for the sick and hold religious services for families and communities. These rural gangan/oungan (male) and manbo (female) priests are usually called to their vocation through dreams and family traditions.
2. Vodou Lakou: Vodou lakou refers to the Vodou yards or communal spaces where the religious practices take place. These are older Vodou communities that have been in existence for several generations. Each lakou may follow a specific Rite, which determines its spiritual practices and cultural traditions. For example, Lakou Nan Badjo in Gonaïves is over 200 years old. In Vodou lakou, the sèvitè or manbo (priestess) is in charge of conducting religious services, but they do not provide healing treatments.
3. Sèvitè Priests: Sèvitè priests are commonly found in the Gonaïves region of Haiti where Vodou lakou communities adhere to a particular Rite. These priests, both male (oungan) and female (manbo), are responsible for leading religious services in their respective communities. Each lakou may maintain a specific Rite, such as Dahomen Rite, Kongo Rite, Nago Rite, or Banda Rite.
4. Vodou Asogwe: Vodou Asogwe refers to a major type of Vodou that is distinguished by the initiation rites that promote candidates into the priesthood. The word “asogwe” is the name of this initiation ceremony, in which the candidate receives the ason (sacred rattle) and is conferred the title of oungan asogwe (male) or manbo asogwe (female). This type of Vodou has historical grounding as it was founded by earlier captive populations from the Bight of Benin, who brought their well-organized priesthood, culture, and initiatory system to Saint-Domingue (Haiti’s colonial name) and exerted significant influence there.
5. Founder Principle: The Vodou religion in Haiti exhibits a phenomenon called “spirit migration,” which sheds light on the Founder Principle. Important spirits that originated in the Bight of Benin region have migrated into the Rites of West Central Africa, likely influenced by a deeper African tradition of spirit migration between neighboring cultures. This migration process indicates the central influence of the religion’s founders from the Bight of Benin, even though Vodou incorporates pan-African religious inclusivity.

Overall, the organization of Vodou is diverse, with different types of priests, practitioners, and rituals. Each type and community may have specific traditions, spiritual practices, and cultural elements that contribute to the rich and varied tapestry of Haitian Vodou.