Conference hydra::dejavu

    Well, since _nobody_ else has touched this one, a few thoughts.
    
    1) The chief priest is generally known as a "Houngan." 
    
    2) The herbal recepies are often very interesting, incorporating
    such items as chewwing tobacco, chopped up newspaper, and iron filings.
    There are such oils and powders as "easy life" and "boss fix."
    
    3) Like the more recent phenomenon of Santeria [a Hispanic form
    of rather eclectic practices centered on Our Lady of Guadalupe,
    and hence more "mainstream" than Voudon {Voodoo}, though not by
    much] and its cousin, Hoodoo, the Voudon practice is a homegrown
    amalgum.  It tends to feed on the credible.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    

    VooDoo, however you spell it, is a belief system unto itself.
    The fact that there are henchmen how guard ceremonial grounds is
    a continuation of secretive practices from slavery days when gathering
    in large groups was forbidden; not to mention worshipping Other
    Gods.  The use of Christian symbols was also used to "get away with"
    having icons of their beliefs in their homes or on their persons.
    This was also done by Indians in South America to cover how they
    worshipped against persecution from the Spanish.  Both groups knew
    what they were doing and why.  However, with the passage of time
    the symbols in many cases have remained.  Some peoples still worship
    the REAL gods behind the icons, and some may not.  Some are trying
    to bring back the original icons instead of continuing with the
    adopted ones.

    I'm posting this from note 661 in terms of its probable applicibility
    to this topic:
    
    ======================================================================
    
        < Note 661.60 by ERASER::KALLIS "A Dhole isn't a political animal." >
                           -< Back to the topic ... >-

    From the 4 March 1988 _Boston Globe_  [(c) 1988 _The Boston Globe_,
    entered without permission]
    
               RITUALISTIC KILLING OF ROOSTER IS PROBED
    
    Authorities said yesterday  that they are trying to determine if
    the ritualistic killing of a rooster found in Cambridge Tuesday
    is connected to the slaughter of several animals discovered two
    weeks ago on a Revere beach.
    
    Cambridge police detectives and officials from the Massachusetts
    Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are investigating
    the death of the rooster, which had its head dislocated while it
    was still alive.
    
    The rooster was spotted buried in Cambridge Cemetary early Tuesday.
    According to an examination performed at a local animal hospital,
    the rooster had bruises on its neck and head and [had] an open
    abdominal cavity.
    
    Among the animals found in Revere two weeks ago were sheep.  The
    MSPCA is also assisting in that investigation.
    
    "The Cambridge incident appears to be some type of spiritual exorcism
    in that garlic cloves, oils, and incense littered the gravesite
    around the dead anima," said Capt. Robert Fennessy, who is in charge
    of the investigation.
    
    In Massachusetts, ritualistic killing of animals is punishable by
    up to one year in jail and fines of $500.  "It's disconcerting that
    such incidents, although becoming increasingly frequent, rarely
    result in a successful prosecution due to the lack of witnesses.
    
    Anyone with information is asked to call the MSPCA's toll-free hot
    line at 1-800-628-5808.  All calls will be kept confidential.
                               #####

                                                                          

    Continuing from .3:
    
    There isn't clear evidence this is the result of a Voudoun ceremony,
    but it is suggestive.  The location, relative secrecy, and oils
    plus incenses are highly suggestive.
    
    Yes, as .2 says, Voudoun is clearly a belief system of its own.
    Some charlatans and equivalent further muddy the scene by adding
    to the folklore of the practice.
    
    Many of the powders, oils, and the like, use a variety of ingredients
    easily found around a home.  Herbs used in some rites are often
    the same as are used for cooking.  Tobacco and newspapers, used
    powdered in some spells, are easily obtained.  Nails and wax, likewise.
    However, obtaining live chickens in an urban setting is a bit more
    difficult, though in an economically disadvasntaged country, they
    might be more common than a tin of snuff in the average household.
    
    It will be interesting to see if reports of such incidents as recounted
    in .3 increase over the next few weeks.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.                                                 

    A separate discussion of the Voudoun religion has been started in
    note 853.  
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.