Gothic "Voodoo" in Africa and Haiti

Eric James Montgomery

doi:10.25120/etropic.18.1.2019.3666

Eric James Montgomery

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.25120/etropic.18.1.2019.3666

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Abstract

This paper seeks to historicize and demystify “Voodoo” religion in Africa and Haiti while also drawing comparisons and contrasts to concepts and themes related to “the gothic”. What is assumed to be “supernatural” or “paranormal” in Western and Gothic circles has long been a part of everyday reality for many peoples of African descent and devotees of Vodun in Western Africa and Vodou in Haiti. Tropes that are essential to realms of the gothic (supernatural characters, mystery, the macabre, spirits, and paranormal entities) — are also central to the cosmology and liturgy of so-called “Voodoo”. As “the gothic” undergoes a resurgence in academic and popular cultures, so too does “Voodoo” religion. And yet, both terms continue to be conflated by popular culture, and by equating “voodoo” with “the gothic”, the true spirt of both concepts become confounded. A certain racialized Eurocentric hegemony devalues one of the world’s least understood religions (“Voodoo”) by equating it with equally distorted concepts of “the gothic”. As globalization transforms society, and the neo-liberal order creates more uncertainty, the continued distortion of both terms continues. Vodun does more than just speak to the unknown, it is an ancient organizing principle and way of life for millions of followers. Vodou/Vodun are not cognates of the “American Zombie gothic”, but rather, are a mode of survival and offer a way of seeing and being in an unpredictable world.

Highlights

Gothic “Voodoo”1 the term “Gothic” originates from the ornate architecture created by Scandinavian and Germanic tribes called “Goths” between the 12th and 16th centuries, the term quickly evolved into a thematic framework for psychological and bodily sceneries for art and culture writ large
When gothic narratives are applied to people of African descent, it has mostly been through negative stereotypes and unfair archetypes associated with African and Diasporic religions and rituals such as “Voodoo.” Voodoo (Vodun/Vodou) and related religions like Santeria, Orisha, Macumba, Obeah, and the like, have been further demonized and equated with blood-lust, witchcraft, black magic, sorcery, and even cannibalism, to the point that they had to go underground
African religions are rarely granted the respect and attention they deserve and have long been excluded from the status and prestige relegated to other religions

Summary

Introduction

Gothic “Voodoo”1 the term “Gothic” originates from the ornate architecture created by Scandinavian and Germanic tribes called “Goths” between the 12th and 16th centuries, the term quickly evolved into a thematic framework for psychological and bodily sceneries for art and culture writ large. Some members of popular culture have continually superimposed this story arc onto African religions like “voodoo”, equating it with gothic fiction, and doing great harm to one of the world’s most ancient and important belief systems.

Results

Conclusion