Reddit reviews Haitian Vodou: An Introduction to Haiti's Indigenous Spiritual Tradition

Haitian Vodou ("voodoo" is the term used primarily to distinguish Louisiana voodoo, which is different) did originate in west Africa (the primary source of slaves for the Atlantic slave trade). Vodou is conceptualized as a syncretic mix of traditional African religious practices mixed with distinctly New World elements.

Vodou is descended from several different west African religious traditions. A French man named Mederic Louis Elie Moreau de Saint-Mery traced the origin of Vodou to Dahomey (roughly modern Benin) and Kingdom of Arada Arada. Vodou has its origins among the Fon people (Dahomey people) in Benin, Nigeria, and Togo. These areas are thought to be ancestral to modern day vodou.

However, modern day Vodou as its practiced in Haiti and elsewhere in the African diaspora, is quite distinct from African traditional religions. It is certainly has African roots, but it has also been profoundly influenced by Catholicism and the experiences of slaves.

Sources:

• Murrell 2010 is a good review of several Afro-Atlantic religions, including vodou
  
• Tann 2012
  
• Also, if you are interested in the topic, I can't recommend Mama Lola enough. It's an easy read about vodou practitioners in New York.

1. Most vodouisants don't serve all the Lwa. They serve their ancestors and the specific lwa that walk with them (their esko or escort) and their families. Houngans and mambos serve more spirits, because their job is to help maintain the community's relationship with them, so they need to. I wouldn't say the vast majority are Rada focused. Community ceremonies / fets begin with the Rada, but also move through the other nachons--Nago, Petro, Ghede, etc.
   
   
2. You'll find variations in order of service because things change House to House. Different spirits may be served, they may be associated with different saints, etc. You can find a Petro order of service in Haitian Vodou by Mambo Chita Tann. Maybe Google Books' preview will let you view it.
   
   
3. Songs vary House to House. Not all houses know or use the same songs. I can't speak to drum rhythms (I'm not a drummer) but they're poly-rhythmic and do vary nachon to nachon. It's a life time of learning for a drummer. Perhaps one will show up here with more info.
   
   
4. Authenticity is a minefield. NOV and Haitian Vodou are products of different but related histories. Some people dislike NOV, but you'd have to ask them why. They're like Catholicism and Anglicanism. Related and similar in many ways, different in others...but in Northern Ireland people die over it.
   
   Just quick responses as I'm on mobile. But I can expand later if you've further questions.

hi there,

i couple of books that i found useful in starting were:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0738730696/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A1KU5VMU83Q22A&psc=1

​

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743235347/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

websites that i like to get products / herbs for cheap :

http://www.barefootwitcheryshoppe.com/

https://plentifulearth.com/

​

​

a good PDF is :

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B_y57F0xCSq7cjBsX1Z2ejg0SVk