Demographics
About 18% of the population of Benin, some 1 million people, follow Vodun. (This does not count other traditional religions in Benin.) In addition, many of the 43% of the population that refer to themselves as Christian practise a syncretized religion, not dissimilar from Haitian Vodou or Brazilian Cadombl; indeed, many of them are descended from freed Brazilian slaves who settled on the coast near Ouidah. In Togo, about half the population practises indigenous religions, of which Vodun is by far the largest, with some 2 million followers; there may be another million Vodunists among the Ewe of Ghana: 13% of the population of 20 million are Ewe and 38% of Ghanaians practise traditional religion. According to census data, about 14 million people practise traditional religion in Nigeria, most of whom are Yoruba practising Vodun, but no specific breakdown is available.
European colonialism, followed by some of the totalitarian regimes in West Africa, have tried to suppress Vodun as well as other traditional religions. However, because the vodun deities are born to each clan, tribe, and nation, and their clergy are central to maintaining the moral, social and political order and ancestral foundation of its village, these efforts have not been successful. Recently there have been moves to restore the place of Vodun in national society, such as an annual International Vodun Conference held in the city of Ouidah in Benin that has been held since 1991.
Haitian Vodou or Vaudou (pronounced [vodu], Anglicised as Voodoo) is a syncretic[1] religion originating from the Caribbean country of Haiti, located on the island of Hispaola. It is based upon a merging of the beliefs and practices of West African peoples, (mainly the Fon and Ewe; see West African Vodun), with Roman Catholic Christianity, which was brought about as African slaves were brought to Haiti in the 16th century and forced to convert to the religion of their owners, whilst they largely still followed their traditional African beliefs.[2]
The principal belief in Haitian Vodou is that there are various deities, or Loa, who are subordinate to a greater God, known as Bondy, who does not interfere with human affairs. Therefore it is to the loa that Vodou worship is directed.[3] Other characteristics of Vodou include ancestor worship and protection against evil witchcraft.[4]
Haitian Vodou shares many similarities with other faiths of the African diaspora, such as Louisiana Voodoo of New Orleans, Santera and Arar of Cuba, and Candombl and Umbanda of Brazil. The Voodoo temple is called a Hounfour.[5] from Honey Amythest
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