Customer Reviews

Voodoo in Haiti

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you want to learn something about Voodoo, then start with Alfred Metraux's "Voodoo in Haiti". It's the most straight down the line, objective, anthropological study of voodoo that one can find. Often, better editions of the book are accompanied by Metraux's photography, which in itself tells one a great deal about this religion. Factual evidence is the priority here and for that reason alone, it's a respectable book that doesn't tell any lies. Metraux is the classic 'outsider' who is looking in at Voodoo, and his viewpoint is never marred by Western conceits or judgements. "Voodoo in Haiti" firmly puts Voodoo in its place alongside every other religion in the world: it has value, merits, problems and practices. Most importantly of all, Metraux does not once mention "Live and Let Die".

Alfred Metraux's study of Haitian vaudou is as comprehensive as one can imagine an outsider can achieve. The book covers the history, social framework, gods, spirits, and loa, rituals, magic, and what The Church thinks. There are antecdotal stories that illustrate the powers and beliefs of vaudou practitioners. Metraux's direct observations are ususally imparted without condescension. I found the writing to be scholarly as well as approachable and entertaining. An excellent resource for those interested in this misunderstood Creole religion.

This, and Zora Neale Hurston's <I>Tell My Horse: Voodoo in Haiti and Jamaica</I>, are probably the best straight-up objective studies of Voodooism as it is seriously practiced. This books gives the reader the "white anthropologist's" point of view, and is somewhat more objective than Hurston's book. Not making any judgements abotu the religion, all it gives is 100+ pages of defintive facts in the forms of text anf images.

One of the first, if not the very first serious scholarly work on the voodoo religion in Haiti. No lies about human sacrifice or horror stories about cannibalism, just an excellent anthropological text. This and Zora Neale Hurston's "Tell My Horse" are an excellent introduction to Voodoo as it was practiced in the first half of the 20th century

One cannot dispute the scholarship in this work or its basic content. It is a classic and a good primer in many ways. It is a bit dated in its attitude towards voodoo as a collection of cults. Today it regarded as the national religion of Haiti and is seen as valid in that it has a clear core of ceremony, priesthood, and belief with many variations. -a fine book overall.

Jacques Roumain's old traveling partner penned this thorough and respectful survey of Haitian vodou in 1959. A must for anyone seriously exploring the system of belief.

I recommend this book for anyone traveling to Haiti. The author does an outstanding job answering the questions of anyone who has encountered Haitian Voodooism. Also the book provides a full Voodoo Glossary. Even if you just keep it on the shelf as a reference book it would be a great investment.

The most carefully researched and authentic scholarly book on
Voodoo. Reads very well--good in-depth coverage.