Description
ABC-CLIO The Voodoo Encyclopedia Magic Ritual and Religion by Jeffrey E. Anderson
This compelling reference work introduces the religions of Voodoo, a onetime faith of the Mississippi River Valley, and Vodou, a Haitian faith with millions of adherents today._x000D__x000D_Unlike its fictional depiction in zombie films and popular culture, Voodoo is a full-fledged religion with a pantheon of deities, a priesthood, and communities of believers. Drawing from the expertise of contemporary practitioners, this encyclopedia presents the history, culture, and religion of Haitian Vodou and Mississippi Valley Voodoo. Though based primarily in these two regions, the reference looks at Voodoo across several cultures and delves into related religions, including African Vodu, African Diasporic Religions, and magical practices like hoodoo._x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D_Through roughly 150 alphabetical entries, the work describes various aspects of Voodoo in Louisiana and Haiti, covering topics such as important places, traditions, rituals, and items used in ceremonies. Contributions from scholars in the field provide a comprehensive overview of the subject from various perspectives and address the deities and ceremonial acts. The book features an extensive collection of primary sources and a selected, general bibliography of print and electronic resources._x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D_Addresses both Vodou and Voodoo_x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D_Situates the religions both religiously and historically_x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D_Examines the African contributions to the faiths on a regional basis_x000D__x000D__x000D__x000D_Introduces important gods and ceremonies_x000D_