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41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Excellent Starter's Guide, December 13, 2006
This review is from: The Haitian Vodou Handbook: Protocols for Riding with the Lwa (Paperback)
As a practitioner and initiated mambo of Haitian Vodou, I was delighted to find that Kenaz Filan's book was respectful, insightful and filled with excellent sources, information and recommendations. Without revealing the oath bound secrets of the religion, Kenaz has given interested seekers a good road map to begin their journey into Vodou. Well defined chapters lead you through the history of Haiti, as well as an overview of what the politics of Haiti that have given to Vodou (an often overlooked point, with all the anthropological material that is on the market today). There are chapters on the main rituals of Vodou - Lave Tet, Maraj Lwa, Kanzo - and basic instructions for creating a simple sevis for your own Ancestral spirits.
This is not a handbook for self-initiation. In fact, as an initiate, Kenaz states unequivocally, that there is no such thing as "self-initiation" in Vodou and indeed, the majority of Haitians today are not initiates in the faith, though they are 'servitors' - they serve their family spirits and keep their lives in balance as as result. But this is an excellent introductory book to the faith of Vodou, the precepts of the religion and the methods used to bind the faithful to their Lwa, their Ancestors and to God almighty.
Kenaz covers the major spirits of the two most popular groupings, Rada and Petro with excellent historical background and discussion of their major offerings and colors. She also adds a few personal anecdotes and observations that helped explain the concept of the Lwa being discussed. I even learned about a few I was not familiar with as yet.
Kenaz devotes a lengthy chapter to the Ancestors, such a central part of all Vodou work. With simple, clear language, the ideas and practices that surround Ancestral service are demonstrated in current world view. I found this information the most detailed and worthy. Too often, we are concerned with ourselves, our hurts and our fallacies. The work of Ancestral service, is to help us overcome these things in our current life, not compound the hurts with additional remorse and review. Kenaz did a fine job outlining what Ancestral work can do, to bring about personal peace and resolution within yourself. There's information on the White Table of the Ancestors, an excellent service you can make for your Ancestors and methods for exploring painful memories as well as how to deal with them. With clarity, kindness and an exceptional voice of rationality, Kenaz provides the tools for anyone to work in their Ancestral garden.
There's a large glossary of terms, as well as a chapter dedicated to charities that work in Haiti and a listing of botannicas and stores where one might begin the search for a Vodou teacher. Kenaz ends this great book by advocating to give back to the community from which you receive something. I heartily agree with this injunction. Vodou is community at it's best, and one doesn't just sit back and admire the view in service. If you want to dance like a god, then you must be prepared to serve the congregation as well. One hand gives as the other receives. Vodou is all about family, community and service. Kenaz Filan has done just that - by giving back to the community of servitors that have given some much to all of us over the ages. Ayibobo - Mambo Vye Zo Komande La Menfo Daginen, Sosyete du Marche.
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful introduction to serving the Lwa, April 4, 2007
This review is from: The Haitian Vodou Handbook: Protocols for Riding with the Lwa (Paperback)
Vodou is a religion that I've been interested in for several years, but never quite sure how to approach. I always wanted to give it more respect than the paradigmal piracy of Hyatt and Black's "Urban Voodoo", which is well-written, but as is the downside of paradigmal piracy, not always as respectful of the paradigm being borrowed from. While that works for some people, it's something that personally I'm not comfortable with. On the other hand, not being in contact with any practitioners of Vodou, I wasn't really sure where to begin as far as solitary practice went.
This book has some answers for my dilemma. It's basically an introduction (and a very thorough one at that!) to Vodou that will make sense to neopagans (such as your dear and beloved reviewer). However, it is NOT "Vodou Wicca" or some crap like that. The traditions themselves are not mixed with neopaganism (e.g., drawing down Ezili Freda under the full moon), though Filan does make mention of recent neopagan integration of the service of certain lwa into personal practices. Rather, it's the religion of Vodou explained in a way that it answers some of the misconceptions that are common in neopaganism.
Of course, the audience isn't restricted to neopagans. This is an excellent introductory text for folsk of any background. Filan covers a lot of ground in not quite 300 pages--the history of the culture that gave birth to Vodou, as well as origins of various elements of it; detailed chapters on individual lwa; and an explanation of some of the more common rituals and magics practiced. The back of the book has pages of useful resources, whether you're content being solitary or would like to get in touch with a reputable house.
I definitely have to commend the citational endnotes. Too many authors don't give credit where it's due, but Filan shows his work nicely. His writing style is easy to read with a light dash of humor (especially when describing the antic of the Ghede!). However, he's not afraid to tackle controversial subjects, such as racism, and problems that non-Haitians may face when exploring Vodou (and how those problems got to be there).
This isn't a candy-coated (or, for that matter, ooga-booga scary) look at Vodou. It's honest and respectful, and has a good balance of information and respecting oathbound material. If you've any interest in this religion whatsoever, even just curiosity, this is a great place to start.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic introduction to a living tradition, March 28, 2007
This review is from: The Haitian Vodou Handbook: Protocols for Riding with the Lwa (Paperback)
Maybe it's the fact that I am still Roman Catholic as well as pagan, or that I have become enamored with hoodoo and Southern magic, but Kenaz Filan's "The Haitian Vodou Handbook: Protocols for Riding with the Lwa" set off a fire in my head the first time I heard about it.
Let me be blunt: this work speaks to me, and I couldn't put it down.
Filan's introduction to Haitian Vodoun is open and honest, as far as oathbound tradition allows, and treats the reader as a respectful seeker along their spiritual path while making clear that this is not a guidebook for self initiation. Indeed, in this living tradition, the author takes pains to explain simply why this is impossible. Meanwhile, he presents you with a broad introduction to the culture and history of Haiti and vodoun that is necessary for understanding how the religion has been shaped in Haiti and the diaspora, and how non-Haitians and those of other spiritual paths may come to integrate elements of vodoun in their practice in a respectful manner. The historical references leave the reader with a good starting point for doing further research and the writing stands fon its own to show that Filan has done his homework to place these practices in context as an evolving faith. The emphasis of of service to the lwa and the community is foremost.
The book gives an introduction to some of the lwa that one will encounter in vodoun, their organization, history, associations and taboos, as well as ways for the non-initiate to integrate them into their practice. Basic rituals and practices are covered, as far as he can reveal them, as well as a guide for seeking further instruction. One of the sections that really stood out for me was the author's discussion of the importance of honoring the ancestors and ancestor altars. Filan is very understanding that not all who approach vodoun come with a healthy family experience, and he gives compassionate guidance on how one can reconcile what may have been an abusive family life without being preachy or prescribing the "one true way" of incorporating them or not into your practice.
Dispelling many of the myths perpetuated by western culture, Kenaz Filan makes vodoun accessible to the curious seeker and those called to begin their journey with the lwa. I highly recommend it.
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