Voodoo In Africa Research Paper
July 29th, 2012 Sociology 300
“What Is the Significance of Voodoo to African Science and Philosophy”
Voodoo (Vodun) is a derivative of the world's oldest known religions which have been around in Africa since the beginning of human civilization. Some conservative estimates these civilizations and religions to be over 10 000 years old. This then identify Voodoo as probably the best example of African syncretism in the Americas. Although its essential wisdom originated in different parts of Africa long before the Europeans started the slave trade, the structure of Voodoo, as we know it today, was born in Haiti during the European colonization of Hispaniola.
Voodoo originated in the African kingdoms of Fon and Kongo as many as 6,000 years ago. The word "voodoo" comes from the Fon language, in which it means "sacred," "spirit" or "deity." Other words used in Voodoo today also …show more content…
The powerful sound evokes the deity to visit voodoo mask dances.
The Fon kingdom was located in what is now southern Benin, a region some anthropologists refer to as the "cradle of Voodoo." People also practice Voodoo in Togo, Ghana and other countries in northwestern Africa. Approximately 30 million people in Togo, Ghana and Benin practice Voodoo today.
Voodoo is also an official religion in Benin, where as many as 60 percent of the people are followers.
Voodoo masks are an integral part of African dance ceremonies. The mask dance in Africa is charged with the responsibility of keeping the balance of life between humans and the gods. The mask becomes the living manifestation of the gods, both good and evil. Drummers and singers, who often wear these masks, are a crucial part of voodoo ceremonies, acting as the conduit for the spirits to journey into the
“What Is the Significance of Voodoo to African Science and Philosophy”
Voodoo (Vodun) is a derivative of the world's oldest known religions which have been around in Africa since the beginning of human civilization. Some conservative estimates these civilizations and religions to be over 10 000 years old. This then identify Voodoo as probably the best example of African syncretism in the Americas. Although its essential wisdom originated in different parts of Africa long before the Europeans started the slave trade, the structure of Voodoo, as we know it today, was born in Haiti during the European colonization of Hispaniola.
Voodoo originated in the African kingdoms of Fon and Kongo as many as 6,000 years ago. The word "voodoo" comes from the Fon language, in which it means "sacred," "spirit" or "deity." Other words used in Voodoo today also …show more content…
The powerful sound evokes the deity to visit voodoo mask dances.
The Fon kingdom was located in what is now southern Benin, a region some anthropologists refer to as the "cradle of Voodoo." People also practice Voodoo in Togo, Ghana and other countries in northwestern Africa. Approximately 30 million people in Togo, Ghana and Benin practice Voodoo today.
Voodoo is also an official religion in Benin, where as many as 60 percent of the people are followers.
Voodoo masks are an integral part of African dance ceremonies. The mask dance in Africa is charged with the responsibility of keeping the balance of life between humans and the gods. The mask becomes the living manifestation of the gods, both good and evil. Drummers and singers, who often wear these masks, are a crucial part of voodoo ceremonies, acting as the conduit for the spirits to journey into the