In a five-month period, from August 2013 through December 2013, I attended thirteen different Vodou ceremonies with every major “house” of Vodou in Brooklyn, following Vodou religious leaders to private apartments and basements across the borough.
I was initially attracted to Vodou because it seemed so unknowable, so misunderstood. How many times have I heard that Vodou is the Devil’s work? What I found was a large group of people connected through their faith, deriving great strength from Vodou and having a great time doing it.
The idea is to interact with the Spirits in a direct, personal way and spiritual possession is the key. Vodou is a sustaining dialogue with a complex pantheon of Spirits both Haitian and African. It provides a focal point to reliving and redefining the history of the Haitian people.
Vodou in Brooklyn is a dynamic, expanding religion powered by young Americans
