The Faces of the Gods: Vodou and Roman Catholicism in Haiti @ richardeward.com

The Faces of the Gods: Vodou and Roman Catholicism in Haiti
by Leslie G. Desmangles
from The University of North Carolina Press

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

• Excellent study of Catholicism's Influence on Vodou
  There is a tendency among many Neopagans and Wiccans to distance themselves from Christianity and Christian symbolism. Among the African Diaspora traditions, this is far less common. At a Fet (Vodou ceremony), one frequently sees statues of saints standing in for the lwa -- and may even see festivals in honor of popular saints like St. Clare and St. Philomena. These religions have been strongly influenced by Roman Catholicism, and retain many of the symbols and preconceptions found in that venerable... more info

• Concise and understandable.
  Vodou, while shrouded in mysticism and magic for many U.S. citizens is a rich and storied traditional practice and way of life in Haiti, with its variations of Santeria in Cuba and manifestations in Brazil and other Latin America.

  Leslie Desmangles' stance on Vodou and Roman Catholicism being in a symbiotic relationship is interesting, and he defines the relationship adequately, though I would disagree with that assessment. However, his descriptions and depictions of Vodou to the Haitian practitioner are... more info

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