Voodoo has been associated in Western popular culture with Satanism, zombies or the undead and voodoo dolls. These images have permeated movies, books and other media, creating a misguided perception of this religion.
The Truth About Voodoo: Religion, Myths and Realities
However, all of this is largely false and simply the result of a series of circumstances brought to the Western public’s imagination through comics, novels and popular movies of recent decades. The reality is that voodoo is a complex religion rich in traditions, which has been misinterpreted and stereotyped.
Additionally, there are occasional news reports of scams tied to voodoo and Santería, sometimes even extortion cases in Spain and other European countries, as well as in Caribbean and South American nations, where anyone can claim to be a Santero, Houngan priest, or Babalawo. These incidents help reinforce negative stereotypes.
Murders Linked to Santería
At other times, we’ve heard of murders linked to Santería, but not carried out by true Santeros. Rather, within Santería culture, rituals or circumstances have been exploited to harm and even kill, a person—always driven by financial interests or vengeance.
This has reached its peak with Mexican narco-Satanism, where elements of Santería and Satanism are mixed in the practices of hitmen and drug traffickers. This reality is not entirely foreign to Spain, though not to the same extent. Nonetheless, this is not truly voodoo or Santería, but perversions of both religious forms.
Voodoo Priests
Voodoo priests claim that most, if not all, of those who call themselves voodoo priests are not genuine, but rather conmen and charlatans with superficial knowledge of the religion, exploiting it for personal gain and charging exorbitant fees. A true Houngan or Mambo, not even a Bokor, would behave this way, as they always respect the individuals who come to them and do not misuse their powers to take advantage of others.
Moreover, voodoo is a religion that deeply values community and mutual respect. Rituals and ceremonies are designed to honor spirits and foster harmony among participants. Using these practices to cause harm is contrary to voodoo’s fundamental principles.
Voodoo Is Not Satanism
It is not black magic, nor is it a religion of Devil worshippers. In fact, Satan does not hold any inherent or original meaning within this religion. Certainly, in the syncretic blends of original voodoo—like in Santería—Satanic elements have emerged, particularly in mixes more tied to magic and sorcery, such as hoodoo. It is, therefore, incorrect to denigrate voodoo and its priests by claiming they are practitioners of black magic.
In reality, voodoo is a syncretic religion combining elements of traditional African religions with Catholicism, a result of cultural fusion during the colonial era. The Loa, or spirits of voodoo, are venerated and considered intermediaries between the Supreme Being and humanity and are not associated with malevolent entities.
Houngan and Bokor
It is true that Houngans and Mambos differ from Bokors, though one might say a Bokor is a Houngan or Mambo who practices dual magic—white and black. Thus, all priests might act as Bokors at some point.
However, the distinction between white and black magic is largely a Western construct. In the voodoo context, practices aim for balance and harmony, with negative actions seen as imbalances that eventually rebound on the perpetrator. The law of return is a key concept in these traditions, where harm inflicted on others returns multiplied to the instigator.
It’s worth noting that, in truth, in any religion, elements of death and vengeance exist and are used against perceived enemies, regardless of whether it’s an animist religion or not, whether it’s voodoo or another. This is present in all religions.
Common Elements in Religions
Similarly, these themes are found in the pantheon of Greek and Roman gods, cultures that have shaped Western civilization alongside Judaism and Christianity.
For instance, in Homer’s tales (The Iliad and The Odyssey) or Virgil’s (The Aeneid), we see how feuds, fights, battles and vendettas between gods and humans intermingle and are intrinsic elements normalized within the social order. Destruction, punishment, vengeance and death are commonplace in the cultural universe and patterns of Greece and Rome.
In Norse mythology, too, stories abound with conflicts and struggles between gods and giants and the idea of Ragnarok as the end of the world illustrates the importance of destruction and rebirth in religious beliefs.
Religion and Its Own Myths
The same applies to any religion and its myths, including traditional African animist religions and voodoo, where a Houngan practicing white magic might, under certain circumstances, practice black magic as a Bokor.
Furthermore, it’s important to recognize that religious practices reflect the social and cultural realities of the communities practicing them. In societies where institutional justice is limited, rituals may serve as mechanisms to resolve conflicts or express resistance.
Universal Values in Religions
It’s essential to highlight that many religions promote values of love and forgiveness. For example, Christianity, through the teachings of Jesus Christ, emphasizes love even for enemies, seeking to overcome destruction and vengeance with forgiveness and compassion.
Thus, religiosity aims to purify human spirituality and leave behind practices like magic, which seeks to bend divinity to one’s will. Whether for healing, luck, personal success in the case of white magic, or to inflict harm and pain as with black magic, these practices are replaced by trust in a higher power and the exercise of faith and love.
Nonetheless, it is crucial to understand that every religion has its own path to the sacred and that respect and understanding among different spiritual traditions are essential for peaceful coexistence. Stigmatizing voodoo and unjustly associating it with Satanism reflects ignorance we must overcome.
With information from hablemosdereligion.com
