Dominican Vudú
TypeSyncretic
ClassificationVoodoo
OrientationFolk Catholicism
RegionDominican Republic and Dominican diaspora
Origin
Colonial Hispaniola

Dominican Vudú, or Dominican Voodoo, popularly known as Las 21 Divisiones (The 21 Divisions), is a heavily Catholicized syncretic religion of African-Caribbean origin which developed in the erstwhile Spanish colony of Santo Domingo on the island of Hispaniola.

Beliefs

  • Anaisa Pye, the Loa of love and happiness. She is syncretized with St. Anne, mother of Mary. Her feast day is July 26.[1]
  • Belie Belcan, the Loa of justice and protection against demons. He is syncretized with St. Michael, the Archangel. His feast day is September 29.[1]
  • Candelo sé Difé, Loa of fire, also a warrior and protector spirit. Considered to be one of the Ogou, syncretized with St. Charles Borromeo. His feast day is November 4.[1]
  • Santa Marta Dominadora, or Filomena Lubana, the Loa responsible for dominion over men. She is syncretized with St. Martha. Her feast day is July 29.[1]
  • Ogun Balenyo, the Loa of warriors and soldiers. He is syncretized with Santiago (St. James). His feast day is July 25.[1]
  • Baron, the Loa of death. He is syncretized with San Elías (St. Elijah). His feast day is November 2.[1]
  • Metresili, the Loa of love, beauty, and wealth. She is syncretized with the Mater Dolorosa (Our Lady of Dolors).
  • Santa Barbara Africana or Ezili Dantor, The main loa (or lwa) or senior spirit of the Petro family. She is syncretized with Black Madonna.

Characteristics

Depiction of burial ceremony, c. 1871

Dominican Vudú is practiced through a "Tcha-Tcha" (Maraca—which means "rattle") lineage.[2] In Haiti, Voodoo has come about and become more popular through another lineage known as the "Asson". However, before the "Asson", the "Tcha-Tcha" lineage was the prominent lineage in Haiti. Thus the "Tcha-Tcha" lineage is one of the oldest lineages within the Voodoo tradition all over the island.[2]

Dominican Vudú practitioners are often called Caballos ('Horses'), Brujos ('Witch doctors'), or Servidores ('Servants'), but they are also known as Papa Bokos and Papa Loa (priest); and Mama Mambos and Mama Loa (priestess). One who has obtained this title has gone through the last and highest level of initiation which can take anywhere between three and nine days and nights as well as have spent a time working for the community.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Tejeda Ortiz, Dagoberto (1940–1995). Religiosidad popular dominicana y psiquiatría (in Spanish). OCLC 35839523.
  2. 1 2 3 Papa Hector Salva Las 21 Divisiones (Vudú Dominicana) — "The 21 Divisions" (Dominican Voodoo) Archived 2018-03-16 at the Wayback Machine
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