This special edition Haiti Briefing features an in-depth background on vodou, the religion of Haiti. Vodou is a major feature of Haitian history, society, culture and identity. It inspired the slave revolution that created the modern state of Haiti, has been and continues to be the religion of the majority of Haitians, and serves as the inspiration for huge numbers of Haitian artists and musicians. Yet in the UK popular conceptions of Vodou are still dominated by the negative stereotypes of black magic, blood-soaked orgies, and zombification. This anti-Vodou prejudice grew out of Europe’s hostility to Haiti’s successful slave revolution, has been perpetuated by Christian missionaries, and survives today thanks to sensationalist portrayals in Hollywood movies.
