Haitian Vodou

Haitian Vodou is a religion formed in Haiti from West and Central African traditions, with elements of Roman Catholicism. Its practices center on relationships with spirits, ancestors, community, and the divine.

Lwa: Lwa are spirits in Haitian Vodou who serve as intermediaries between humans and Bondye. These spirits are central to worship and are approached through distinct rites and relationships.
Haitian Vodou ceremony: A Haitian Vodou ceremony is a communal ritual involving prayer, music, offerings, and service to spirits. Ceremonies organize worship and create settings for lwa to be honored or welcomed.
West African religions: West African religions are diverse spiritual traditions originating among the peoples of West Africa. Traditions from this region supplied major ritual and spiritual foundations for Vodou.
Hoodoo: Hoodoo is an African American system of folk spiritual practices, not a centralized religion. It is often confused with Haitian Vodou despite different histories and forms of practice.
Haitian diaspora: The Haitian diaspora consists of Haitian communities living outside Haiti and their transnational connections. Vodou practice and identity continue in Haitian communities abroad.
Bondye: Bondye is the distant supreme creator in Haitian Vodou. The religion’s many spirit relationships coexist with belief in one supreme creator.
Rada: Rada is a rite and family of lwa associated with Africa and often characterized by a measured ceremonial style. Rada ceremonies illustrate one major ritual tradition within Vodou.
Central African religions: Central African religions are diverse spiritual traditions originating among the peoples of Central Africa. Central African practices and ideas also shaped Haitian religious life.
West African Vodun: West African Vodun is a family of religions practiced in parts of West Africa, especially Benin and Togo. It shares historical and spiritual connections with Haitian Vodou but is not the same religion.
Haitian art: Haitian art encompasses visual traditions developed in Haiti and its diaspora. Vodou imagery and spiritual themes appear in diverse Haitian artistic traditions.

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