--> Living Vodou
February 4, 2010The word "Vodou" evokes images of sorcery and sticking pins into dolls. In fact, it's a living tradition wherever Haitians are found based on ancestral religions in Africa. We walk through this mysterious tradition — one with dramatic rituals of trances and dreaming and of belief in spirits, who speak through human beings, with both good and evil potential.
+ (photo: Stephanie Keith)About the Image
An ougan, or Vodou priest, is possessed by the spirit of Gede in a basement in Brooklyn, New York.=
SoundSeen
» "Vodou Brooklyn" [slideshow, 5:09]
Stephanie Keith met a Vodou priest at a Buddhist interfaith event. He invited her to photograph and experience the religious world of his Haitian culture. Ten ceremonies later, she offers her images and reflections on these late-night rituals.
SOF Observed
» "Nou Met Led Me Nou La!" (We May Be Ugly, But We Are Here!)
After the earthquake first shook Haiti, we reached out to Bellegarde-Smith again asking about the context he brings to the current tragedy and its future consequences. Share his insight here.
» Vodou Doll Mythology
The story of a doll that "wreaked havoc" among faculty at the University of Miami.
» Guided by Orisas
A stirring scene from Bill T. Jones' musical "Fela" inspired us to learn more about orisas.
» Our Former Guests' Perspectives on Vodou and LivingPatrick Bellegarde-Smith responds to the Haitian crisis in an AP story.
» Permutations of Our Productions on VodouA bit of insight into the challenges of finding guests, music, images, and stories for this program.
Voice on the Radio
Patrick Bellegarde-Smith
Bellegarde-Smith is a professor at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and author of many books about Vodou.
Voice on the Web
Claudine Michel
Michel is professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara and editor of several books about Vodou.
>http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/2010/vodou/