Haitian Vodou (mainstream)
Haitian syncretic religion blending West African (Fon, Yoruba, Kongo) traditions with Catholic iconography. Distinctive lwa veneration and houngan/mambo priesthood. Mostly low-control mainstream tradition.
CLCI radar
BITE breakdown
0 — Haitian syncretic religion; mainstream low-control reference.
Profile facts
In context
Haitian Vodou developed during the colonial period from multiple West African traditions and Catholic iconography. Worship organised through houngans (male priests) and mambos (female priests) leading peristyle communities. Mostly low-control mainstream tradition heavily distorted in popular Western media.
Key control doctrines
- Lwa veneration
- Houngan/mambo priesthood
Legal cases & controversies
- Historical persecution; popular Western misrepresentation
This profile is in progress — history, deeper BITE evidence and survivor voices are still being added. Contributions welcome via GitHub.
Timeline
- Colonial periodHaitian Vodou crystallises
- 1791–1804Haitian Revolution
Sources
- Karen McCarthy Brown, 'Mama Lola' (1991) search ↗
We cite sources by name and outlet rather than fabricating links. The search ↗ link runs a Google Scholar query for the cited title — useful for verifying academic sources. For news outlets, search the outlet's own archive.