Voodoo Online

If you ever witness a real ceremony (called a Service Loa ), you will not see satanic chants. You will see a community gathering.

The is perhaps the most persistent myth. The idea of pricking a doll to harm an enemy is largely a fabrication of European colonial writers. In actual Vodou, "dolls" (or pwen ) exist, but they serve a different purpose. They are usually small religious packages containing herbs, dirt from a crossroads, and bone fragments. They are pinned not to cause pain, but to focus one's prayers (either for healing, love, or justice). In traditional practice, directly harming another person with magic is Rada (left-hand path) and is strictly regulated. Most priests refuse to do it because it will bring a curse back upon them threefold. Voodoo

The ceremony is led by a Houngan (male priest) or Mambo (female priestess). The key components include: If you ever witness a real ceremony (called

Today, is an officially recognized religion in Haiti (constitutionally protected) and Benin (where it is a national religion celebrated annually on January 10th, Vodun Day ). The idea of pricking a doll to harm

In the United States, thanks to immigration from Haiti and the preservation of culture in Louisiana, is experiencing a revival. However, it is still stigmatized. In 2010, after the Haitian earthquake, American Christian evangelists infamously claimed the earthquake happened because Haiti had a "pact with the devil" via Voodoo —a racist and historically illiterate claim that ignored the physics of seismic activity.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes. If you wish to explore Voodoo, seek out a legitimate Houngan or Mambo within the Haitian or West African community. Do not purchase "Voodoo curse removal kits" from the internet; they are scams.