Vodou Practices - Comparing Haitian and Dominican Vodou

Vodou is a traditional religion that was born in the west provinces of the Mother Continent, Africa. Vodou became widely recognized because of the well known African slave trades that occurred many many years ago.

The correct spelling for the cliche term voodoo is actually Vodou. Vodou was born in west Africa and during the importation of slaves it gave birth to Dominican Vodou, Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo.

Some believe that Dominican Vodou is basically Haitian Vodou, practiced in the Dominican Republic. The difference is not much. Dominican practitioners use most of the same Loas and most of the same ceremonies, but with a slight difference. The major difference is the language, of course.

The Loas, when mounted on a horse's (person's) head and regardless of whether the horse speaks Kréyol or not, the Loa in the head will speak certain words in Haitian Kréyol.

French is also a language spoken by some Loas. However, once again, the same applies regardless of the horse's first language - the Loa in head will speak French.

Contrary to popular belief, like Haitian Voudoun, practitioners of Dominican Voudoun believe in one main God, the Creator, Papa Bon Dyé (The Good God).  Although Papa Bon Dye is no longer physically on earth, he is still good to us all.  In Haiti He also goes by Gran Met (the Great Master).

Very rarely will one go to a party of the spirits and not hear the Loas and all those present mention this name.  As, when these Loas enter they usually say:

"Bonswa a la societé! Gracia a la Mesericordia de Papa Bon Dyé y Las 21 Divisiones!"

In english this translates to: Hello (good evening) to all (the society)! Thanks to the Mercy of The Good God and the 21 Divisions/Nations!

The Lwa, also known as Loa or L'wha, are the spirits of the African traditonal religions of Vodou, Haitian Vodou, Dominican Vodou and Sanse Vodou practiced in Haiti and all over the world.

The Lwa are part of nation or division of entities and these divisions are commonly referred to as 21 Divisions, or 21 Nations.

Bonswa a la societé is the general greeting given to all by these Loas when they arive. When the lwa says -“Bonswa a la societé!”, all respond: “Bonswa!”. Once these Loas arrive, they ask for their things (fula, drinks, cigars, and what ever else they might want to wear or to use).  These material things are given to the Loas by La Place, this is the person responsible for giving them all of the above.

All of our ceremonies involve first and foremost the invocation of Bon Dyé and then the Loas.  It is Him and Papa Legba that allow these Loas to come to us through the possessions of the "horses". We do this because we know that without God, nothing is possible.

Article provided by Secrets2Voodoo.com

Tags: vodoun, voodoo symbols, vodoun religion