Introduction

This covers the islands of the Caribbean, particularly Haiti and Cuba, plus The Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Puerto Rico.

Much of the slave trade was directed to these areas, especially Haiti, from the Dahomey, Ebo and Yoruba tribes in Africa. Unknown to their captors they took their Gods with them.

Traditional beliefs were mixed and stirred with the prevailing Roman Catholic rituals and Vodou became a powerful influence. Especially in Haiti where the slaves eventually had a successful rebellion against their oppressors and have been independent ever since. Not always happily.

‘Vo’ means introspection, ‘Dou’ means the Unknown. Although possession is said to be nine tenths of the law and the Catholic Religion claims 85 per cent faith, this is not always what it seems — not even with syncretism. Vodou has spread and various brands have taken hold on other islands and other deities have drifted in from the nearest parts of South America.

Principally the Gods and spirits in this section will be Santería and Vodou. But not the Voodoo of Hollywood with Zombies and pin-ridden dolls lurching all over the place. Vodou does have its unsavory aspects, but the populist Hollywood version is a highly sensationalized fiction based on stereotype and brute ignorance. A myth based on myth, if you like.

---

Options

Introduction to Caribbean Mythology and Folklore.

Use our Godbrowser™ to explore the Gods of the Caribbean.

View the Caribbean pantheons. Family trees coming soon!

Consult Godchecker’s complete alphabetical list of Caribbean deity and spirit names.

---