The Faces of the Gods : Vodou and Roman Catholicism in Haiti

Vodou, the folk religion of Haiti, is a by-product of the contact between Roman Catholicism and African and Amerindian traditional religions. In this book, Leslie Desmangles analyzes the mythology and rituals of Vodou, focusing particularly on the inclusion of West African and European elements in Vodouisants' beliefs and practices.Desmangles sees Vodou not simply as a grafting of European religious traditions onto African stock, but as a true creole phenomenon, born out of the oppressive conditions of slavery and the necessary adaptation of slaves to a New World environment.Desmangles uses Haitian history to explain this phenomenon, paying particular attention to the role of the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century maroon communities in preserving African traditions and the attempts by the Catholic, educated elite to suppress African-based "superstitions." The result is a society in which one religion, Catholicism, is visible and official; the other, Vodou, is unofficial and largely secretive. Vodou, The Folk Religion Of Haiti, Is A By-product Of The Contact Between Roman Catholicism And African And Amerindian Traditional Religions. In This Book, Leslie Desmangles Analyzes The Mythology And Rituals Of Vodou, Focusing Particularly On The Inclusion Of West African And European Elements In Vodouisants' Beliefs And Practices. Desmangles Sees Vodou Not Simply As A Grafting Of European Religious Traditions Onto African Stock, But As A True Creole Phenomenon, Born Out Of The Oppressive Conditions Of Slavery And The Necessary Adaptation Of Slaves To A New World Environment. Many Observers Have Referred To Such New World Religions As Fusions Of Religious Practices. Desmangles Instead Uses The Concept Of Symbiosis, Which He Defines As The Juxtaposition Of Diverse Religious Traditions, Coexisting Without Fusing. Desmangles Uses Haitian History To Explain This Symbiosis, Paying Particular Attention To The Role Of The Seventeenth- And Eighteenth-century Maroon Communities In Preserving African Traditions And The Attempt By The Catholic, Educated Elite To Suppress African-based Superstitions. The Result Is A Society In Which One Religion, Catholicism, Is Visible And Official; The Other, Vodou, Is Unofficial And Largely Secretive. Both Religions Continue To Play A Part In Haitian Politics, And Desmangles Chronicles The Role Of Vodou And Catholicism In The Fall Of Jean-claude Duvalier And The Rise Of Father Jean-bertrand Aristide. Cultural Setting: Religious Paradox Or Symbiosis -- Historical Setting: The Shaping Of Two Religions In Symbiosis : Religion In The Colony: 1492-1790 ; Religion And The Revolts For Independence: 1790-1804 ; Religion And The Shaping Of The Republic: 1804-1860 ; Religion In Haitian Life: 1860-present -- The Faces Of Myth: Symbiosis And The Changing Self : Participation: The Communal Self -- Rites Of Passage: The Transfigured Self -- The Faces Of The Cosmic Gods : The Nanchons: Classifications Of The Lwas ; Vodou Cosmology ; The Cosmic Lwas -- The Faces Of The Gods And Public Life : The Lwas Of Public Life -- Conclusion : Vodou And Catholicism. Leslie G. Desmangles. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 199-209) And Index.