Voodoo Priests
General Overview
Voodoo (Vodoun/Hoodoo/Vodou) was brought to French Louisiana during the colonial period by slaves from Sub-Saharan and West African regions from 1719-1731. Roughly fifteen percent of the population of Louisiana still practice it today.
The majority of these enslaved people were the Fon people, with the inclusion of the other slave groups bringing their cultural practices, languages, and religious beliefs which were rooted in spirit and ancestor worship. All these combined lead to the creation of Louisiana Voodoo.
Their knowledge of herbs, poisons, and the ritual creation of charms, amulets, intended to protect oneself or harm others are the key elements to Louisiana Voodoo.
Louisiana Voodoo is also influenced by Haitian Voodoo when a large influx of slaves was brought to the region for Saint Domingue. What leads to its long-standing survival was under the French Catholic code of conduct officials recognized the family groups and prohibited the sale of slave children until fourteen years of age, unlike the American slave trade which sold slave children right for birth, therefore the family connections, language, culture, and religion remind more intact.
This heavily catholic influence from the French was incorporated into Louisiana Voodoo by the slaves by the use of prayer candles, crucifixes, and images of saints, which represent their spirits, as well as the use of the Hail Mary and Our Father prayers which is commonly used in Sanatoria which is an offshoot of Voodoo.
Rituals
The use of bones, roots, and nails is often used in the making of charms and amulets also the use of voodoo dolls which was part of Haitian influence.
Singing and drum playing is a key part of Voodoo rituals. The songs have been passed down orally for generations and are used to invoke the Loa (deities/spirits). This happens in four phases preparation, invocation, possession, and farewell. The songs are used to open the gate between the deities and the human world and invite the spirits to possess, someone. These services are lead by Voodoo Legba (Priest/Practitioners)
Offshoots
Hoodoo. use of the gris-gris bag, and sorcery
Sanatoria. Heavily Influenced by Catholicism
Loa.The Loa or Iwa is the spiritual deities often referred to as the mysteres and the Invisibles. Their roughly forty-five Loa in Voodoo. Listed below are the eight most influential Loa in the Voodoo faith.
Bondye. The creator God, all the Loa serve as intermediaries between man and Bondye.
Papa Legba. God of the crossroads, head intermediary, trickster, protector of children, and fertility. Is associated with the colors red and black.
Mama Brigitte. Wife/Consort of Baron Samedi, Goddess of the hearth and the Underworld often associated with Saint Bridget as is seen as a pale skin woman with red hair.
Baron Samedi. God of Death and the Underworld, keeper of the cemeteries, leader of the Guede, family of Lao who works with the dead. Is often seen with a skeleton mask, top hat, and a black suit.
Erzulie. Goddess of beauty and love
Ogun. God of warriors, blacksmiths, and the wheel of justice
Damballah. God who assisted Bondye in the creation of the cosmos, often represented by a massive serpent, keeper of knowledge, wisdom, and healing magic. He is often associated with Saint Patrick.
Oshun. Goddess or rivers, streams, and water.