1. Voodoo’s true self
Overall, Voodoo is not about black magic and spells, it is a community-based religion which emphases on healing and imparting well to others.
2. Voodoo follows a moral code
Voodoo has never included human sacrifice. They follow their moral code which strictly forbids harming of others.
3. Voodoo’s believers
About 4 million people in Benin and 5 million in Haiti follow Voodoo today, among others in smaller groups across the world.
4. The reason for animal sacrifice
The practice of surrendering a animal during a Voodoo ceremony is to give life energy to the lwa.
5. Possession in Voodoo
Voodooists believe the lwa can possess a worshiper’s body during certain religious ceremonies. Iwa are the lesser spirits with whom voodoo’s communicate. It’s also believed the soul can escape from the body while dreaming and during possession by a lwa.
6. The importance of healing
Central to Voodoo is healing people from illnesses. Herbs are used and the lwa are raised to heal the sick.
7. Communication with the lwa
Voodooists communicate with lesser spirits through prayer, animal sacrifice, possessions and drum/dance ceremonies.
8. One god
This monotheistic belief refers to god. Most Voodooists trust in a supreme being, however the divinity is more aloof and less controllable than lesser spirits.
9. Relationship with the lwa
Voodooists grow relationships with the Iwa spirits, to ask them for advice and learn from their knowledge and link with them on a mystical level.
10. Most famous forms of Voodoo
Voodoo is most recognized in three places: West Africa, Haiti, and Louisiana. It is sometimes also practiced in places such as Cuba, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
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