African Witchcraft and Vodou Flashcards
How did E.E Pritchard explain witchcraft?
He thought that it was used as a way to explain unfortunate events
Why would people confess to being a witch?
Regained their sense of self/autonomy
What is the Mobility Theory?
The idea that nomatic societies aren’t concerned with witchcraft because they don’t rely on their surroundings like agricultural societies do
Why were women mainly blamed for bad occurrences or witchcraft?
- property is inherited patrilineally
- women marry into families
- women will use malevolent means to get it
- since they come from another family makes them mysterious
- malleus maleficarum
Where is Vodou from?
Haiti
What is the goal of vodou?
To increase luck (chans) and minimize suffering (mize)
serving spirits to help your life
What is vodou?
a mix of west african religion and catholicism, doesn’t have a set orthodoxy
What is the Loa?
spirits who are in charge of earthly manners
What are some examples of Loas?
Loa Grand Bois (grumpy wood man, spirit of the forest)
Papa Legba (god of the crossroads)
Loa Marassa (the sacred twins
Loa Damballah (snake god)
Erzulie Dantor (protector of women and children, also vengence)
Baron Samedi ( Loa of the dead)
How are Loas incorporated in Vodou?
people serve them rather than worship them, uses altars and offerings
What are the Rada Loa?
a loa representing emotional stability and warmth of africa, invovled with more compassionate and familial dealings
What are the Petros Loa?
a loa from haiti, as a response to inhospitable conditions, are more violent adn agressive
What is the gros bon ange
the spirit that animates the body
What is the ti bon ange
the soul, moulds personality
What is the N’ame?
the spirit of the flesh, makes your body work
