We Don't Do Voodoo

In Haiti, November 1st and 2nd are dedicated to Gede, a voodoo holiday similar to The Day of The Dead. (http://www.wehaitians.com/day%20of%20the%20dead.html) It is during these two days that voodoo practitioners initiate ceremonies and rituals to the spirit of Gede. (http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/vodou/spirits7.html) Some of these rituals consist of drinking peppered alcoholic drinks and sacrificing animals to dead ancestors. People walk in the street claiming to be possessed by a dead person professing to be the living dead. Alters are prepared and chants are repeated.

At night, there are many that gather at voodoo temples:

As one who lives in Haiti, I wasn't effected by the sounds that overtook the night. It’s easy to become accustom to the drumming and chanting the longer you live in Haiti, but these things are very real. You see, when living in a country that sets aside 2 entire days to voodoo worship- closing down both shop and school to honor the holiday, it’s important to stay in the spirit. We do not fear the demons that are ushered in, because we know what we have is mightier, but we cover by the blood and remind the enemy of our authority in God.

On November 2 (the second day of Gede), I visited a local church. I had a conversation with the pastor. He mentioned that his church had been fasting and praying for two days. I asked why. He said the reason they fast is because there is so much evil going on during the Gede holiday that it’s important we get together and remind him (the devil) that we aren’t participating.

So instead of allowing these sounds and visuals put fear in us we take the time to tell the devil we aren’t participating in his antics.