Vodou (in Hatai) or Voodoo (popular in US) is a broad term that mixes West African religious beliefs with a bit of new world Christianity and then forged in slavery. The brutal and despotic nature of slavery made it difficult to carry on the traditional roots.
Many slaves came from different areas with different (yet similar) beliefs, and oral traditions began to blend and since most of the slave owners and traders of this time were Christian, their beliefs had to stay hidden. Vodou practitioners who did not convert to Christianity or blended Christian beliefs with Vodou would hide their symbology in Christian symbols. For example: Papa Lega is usually associated with Saint Peter, Saint Anthony, and Saint Lazarus.
Vodou is a fluid system of belief, in that there is great diversity in how worship and pronunciation and . s of spirits (Iwa, or Loa). It is a rich and vibrant beleif that I can only give a mere taste of...but I will try.
The religion centers around name Bondye, or the great creator God, a centralized being that can be associated with the more traditional western deity of God, but very different in may ways. From him came the Iwa or Loa, families of spiritual energies, who govern different aspects of the living world. Vodou practitioners will celebrate these beings, ask them for help on matters associated with the various aspects the Iwa govern. This can be relms of nature, or water or death, and many, many more.
One might make offerings and petitions to members of the Gede family of Iwa, who govern death and fertility, to protect a sick family member.
The Iwa all have their own colors, symbols and personalities, some are know to be very humble while others are more rowdy & larger than life.
Much like all religions outside of the "normal" beliefs like Christianity, or Judaism or Muslim, people tend to focus on negative imagery or demonization of the belief system. But when you begin to delve into it you begin the diverse nuances in this belief, the beauty of their art and a belief system that brings strength (Like the Hatian slave revolution of 1791), brings hope to those in need and, like all religions, brings people together in a world that seems hell-bent on breaking people apart.
