Where are the anthropologists and/or religious specialists?

[Nekita Lamour*]

Guy,

I apologize for taking a new page. I would like the experts to respond to Lynnlinn and your questions on Ezili. I never really wrote a paper on voodoo per se or even had a class on anthropology or African religion. The papers I have so far from the "blan" schools is on education. I just read the books about my culture, my Haitian heritage and listen to the authors and go to their conferences. By no means I want to facilitate a discussion on Ezili. In addition to the books I have referred to before, I want to add Alfred Metraux's "Voodoo in Haiti". Read Anthony B. Pinn "Varieties of African American Religious Experience". He has a chapter on Haiti's Voodoo. If one reads French, read Joseph Augustin' Le "Voudou Liberateur". He has a small new book on Boukman which is also on voodoo.

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What I know about Erzulie is that because of her agressiveness, her "warrior" personality she belongs in the Petro rite in lieu of Rada. Over 200 ( between 210-270) loas or spirits belong to the larger pantheons of Rada, Petro, Congo, and Ibo.

I believe Rachel Beauvoir Dominique has a website. If one search through voodoo.com, there will be additional info on voodoo, some trash, some worth reading. Her B.S. thesis from Tufts University in mid to late 80's covers extensively the loa topics. Since she was one of the main consultant for Wade Davis' book turned into movie "The Serpent and the Rainbow", there could be mentions of the loas. I read it the book back in l986. I don't remember the entire content.

One thing I regret. I was in Haiti in the l980's, I wanted to buy all the saints' iconography in Marcher en fer ( the tourist iron market)and had some one write their corresponding loas for me. My cousin told me not to. If I do, the loas will possess me. But 5 years ago,I bought an Erzul
ie flag, a Simbi sculpture. I never dream of any loas or had any spiritual vision.

I bought a packet of Cadoumble post cards in Brazil last year that had their corresponding saints which are different from Haiti. I am still not possesed.

For instance, Iemanja could be the equivalent of Erzilie. She is sensual, beautiful and though. She is represented by Senora Aparecida who is a black Immaculate ,something that struck me. I always knew Immaculee was white. Iemanja's feast is widely celebrated in Brazil. The way it's celebrated makes me think of Simbie. After a catholic mass , a procession of thousands, with women in white go throw flowers and other paraphernalia in the sea. I have seen pictures of this ritual from Bahia and Rio. It's so beautiful. Sea of flowers floating on the ocean of Copa Cabana and Salvador de Bahia and the women all in long white lace dresses and white head scarves. Why can't Haiti's voodoo be so widely celebrated, respected, and accepted. I wonder when will H
aiti's voodoo becomes integral part of the culture like in Brazil. Once it's part of the society, Haitians will then breath " a culutural fresh air.'

Nekita

P.S. I am trying to keep my words, be an observant like many who are in the position to instruct others and not to comment in this " spirituality" forum until the experts bring their insights.

[Lynnlinn]

I appreciate your response but I don't need an anthropologist or religious specialist to respond to my questions as much as I need someone who practices Haitian spirituality (voodoo) or a ritual specialist to respond. I have my own thoughts about the Haitian/Polish connection and believe that the origin might lie somewhere within African cosmology rather than in Poland. Europeans tend to appropriate and transmogrify just about everything, especially for political and economic gain and I suspect that the Polish story might be an example. I thought that I read somewhere that there was a woman who danced just before the Haitians finally drove out the French and that the lwa Erzulie Dantor was a "reincarnation" of that woman who was very black and held steadfastly to her African heritage and beliefs.