Voodoo dolls have long been associated with the practice of voodoo, a religion that originated in West Africa and later spread to the Americas, particularly Haiti and New Orleans. The origin of voodoo dolls is somewhat murky, with no definitive answer as to who first invented them. However, their use can be traced back to the belief in sympathetic magic and the practice of using effigies in rituals. Sympathetic magic is the idea that an action performed on a representation of a person or object will have the same effect on the real person or object. The use of effigies, or dolls, to represent people in religious rituals has been present in various cultures throughout history. The concept of using these dolls to inflict harm or manipulate individuals is also not limited to voodoo; similar practices can be found in European folk magic and witchcraft.
Who invented voodoo dolls
Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology & the Ancient World
Brown University
Box 1837 / 60 George Street
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: (401) 863-3188
Fax: (401) 863-9423
[email protected]
Minkisi (the plural of nkisi, which literally means "things which do things") are 19th century wooden figurines, in the shape of humans, created more than a century ago in Kongo (present-day DRC and Angola.) Conceptually, Minkisi are containers that capture the spirit of the dead and make it available for use by the living, through a complex relationship of people-thing-spirit. They have been distributed across the world by God, and attributed special powers. For the BaKongo people, malevolent spirits are everywhere, and no illness or death is accidental. Therefore, chiefs and minkisi must be used to counteract and appease these powers. The living can use the Minkisi to inflict harm upon a person, ranging from a headache to falling off a cliff. However, the living cannot simply control the spirit of the Nkisi- there are two steps to the process. Firstly, a person seeking help-- to catch a thief or have a healthy pregnancy-- must visit the local chief, nganga and ask him for help. For pay, he will contact the Nkisi and ask it to find the culprit or solve the problem. The crucial role of the chief, nganga is filling a medicine pouch and attaching it to the nkisi, or even incorporating in the nkisi's body. The pouch can then be filled with various substances, depending on the nkisi's purpose. This medicine gives the Nkisi power and officially identifies it as a spirit. The Minkisi have they have their own will and are considered very similar to people. The Minkisi imposes rules, and if you violate them, it can punish you.There are many different categories, both physical and metaphorical, in the Minkisi. The most important minkisi are vital agents of justice for whole communities in terms of wealth, justice and healing. During the Belgian colonization of the Kongo, Minkisi were severely repressed, firstly because they were considered pagan and secondly because they were considered dangerously powerful witchcraft. They were burnt or confiscated, and members of the military deemed them members of an opposing political force.
Kingdom of Kongo:
The Voodoo doll:
Although its origins are not completely clear, the Voodoo doll originated in the Fon people of present-day Benin. The Voodoo religion was created in slave quarters in Haiti and Louisiana, when the faiths of various peoples began to intermingle. I will be focusing on the use of voodoo dolls in Louisiana, which grew enormously during the life of Marie Lavaux, the 'queen of Voodoo'.The word Voodoo itself means spirits and Voodoo is a religious or magico-religious practice which aims at connecting spirits and mortals. This interaction is only possible through a magical process using a gris-gris. A gris-gris' definition is nuanced-- it can either be the magical act or the object used for magic, or even both. Voodoo steers away from its more religious base into the superstition it is commonly associated with when a gris-gris is treated as containing the magic in itself. Spirits are no longer the strongest force; the magic can come from the gris-gris itself. The voodoo doll is a gris-gris, but can be used as a religious object or a superstitious one depending on how the user treats it. The voodoo doll is usually a small, soft doll representing a person, though the extent of physical detail may vary. This doll, lying alone on a table, is no different from any other type of doll. However, the sharp pins which accompany the doll make it a voodoo doll. The person handling the doll has complete control over the doll, and can push the pins into the entirety of its soft body, attaching strands of hair or the name of the subject to the doll. The concept rests on this body being the material incarnation of a person, although religious usage of the voodoo doll uses outside spirits.
Both the voodoo and the nkisi doll are inanimate objects to whom great powers are attributed, but in different ways. When these objects are given agency, the supposed segregation between thing and human is further blurred. Externally, the two figurines may seem similar in their function, but their purpose, materiality and use in social context differentiates them greatly. The Nkisi is very much used to maintain and regulate social order, whereas the voodoo doll is extensively used for personal needs. This is crucial to understanding the nuances of the doll.
Definitions:
- Minkisi: A thing that does things.
- Nkisi: a spirit personality controlling a particular activity or function. Also, a material composite through which such a spirit can be approached.
- Nkondi: a loosely defined class of nkisi whose functions included “hunting” witches and other unknown wrongdoers. Many are wooden figures stuck full of nails and other hardware. From konda, to hunt at night.
- Nganga: expert owner-operator of an nkisi.
- Voodoo: A religion that is derived from African polytheism and ancestor worship (Merriam- Webster)
- Gris-gris: An amulet, charm, or spell of African origin (Webster dictionary)
- Loa: Spirits in Voodoo religion.
- Legba: He is the most important spirit, who gives or denies permission to speak to the other spirits. He is the first and last invoked in Voodoo ceremonies.
Voodoo: Facts About Misunderstood Religion
Voodoo is a sensationalized pop-culture caricature of voudon, an Afro-Caribbean religion that originated in Haiti, though followers can be found in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, the United States and elsewhere. It has very little to do with so-called voodoo dolls or zombies.
Voudon refers to "a whole assortment of cultural elements: personal creeds and practices, including an elaborate system of folk medical practices; a system of ethics transmitted across generations [including] proverbs, stories, songs, and folklore. voudon is more than belief; it is a way of life," wrote Leslie Desmangles, a Haitian professor at Hartford's Trinity College in "The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal" (Prometheus Books, 1996).
Voudon teaches belief in a supreme being called Bondye, an unknowable and uninvolved creator god. Voudon believers worship many spirits (called loa), each one of whom is responsible for a specific domain or part of life. So, for example, if you are a farmer you might give praise and offerings to the spirit of agriculture; if you are suffering from unrequited love, you would praise or leave offerings for Erzulie Freda, the spirit of love, and so on. In addition to helping (or impeding) human affairs, loa can also manifest themselves by possessing the bodies of their worshipers.
Followers of voudon also believe in a universal energy and a soul that can leave the body during dreams and spirit possession. In Christian theology, spiritual possession is usually considered to be an act of evil, either Satan or some demonic entity trying to enter an unwilling human vessel. In voudon, however, possession by loa is desired. In a ceremony guided by a priest or priestess, this possession is considered a valuable, first-hand spiritual experience and connection with the spirit world.
The concept of using these dolls to inflict harm or manipulate individuals is also not limited to voodoo; similar practices can be found in European folk magic and witchcraft. In the context of voodoo, the use of dolls became intertwined with the belief in spirits and the practice of casting spells. It is believed that voodoo dolls were first used as tools of healing and protection, with practitioners creating dolls to represent individuals and performing rituals to influence their well-being.
History of voudon
Voudon originated with slaves who combined elements of their West African traditions and beliefs with the Roman Catholicism imposed upon them by their masters in a process called syncretism. A 1685 law forbade the practice of African religions and required all masters to Christianize their slaves within eight days of their arrival. Slavery was condoned by the Catholic Church as a tool for converting Africans to morally upright Christians. Slaves forced to adopt Catholic rituals thus gave them double meanings, and in the process many of their spirits became associated with Christian saints.
Furthermore, Desmangles notes, "Many of the African spirits were adapted to their new milieu in the New World. Ogun, for instance, the Nigerian spirit of ironsmiths, hunting and warfare took on a new persona. He became Ogou, the military leader who has led phalanxes into battle against oppression. In Haiti today, Ogou inspires many political revolutions that oust undesirable oppressive regimes."
Though Haitian slavery ended in the early 1800s, followers of voudon were often persecuted by authorities who demonized their religion. An 1889 book titled "Hayti, or the Black Republic" (Filiquarian, 2012) falsely attributed human sacrifices, cannibalism and other atrocities to voudon, further spreading fear of the religion. Many fundamentalist Christians still regard voudon and voodoo with suspicion, associating it with the occult, black magic and Satanism. Even today "voodoo" is often used as an adjective to describe something that is unknowable, mysterious or simply unworkable (for example, in 1980 George H.W. Bush famously disparaged Ronald Reagan's monetary policies as "voodoo economics").
Over time, the use of voodoo dolls in curses and revenge spells became more prominent, gaining a fearsome reputation in popular culture. Despite their association with voodoo, voodoo dolls are not an essential or universal aspect of the religion. The practice of using dolls varies among different voodoo communities, with some practitioners using them extensively, while others may not use them at all. Nonetheless, their image has become deeply entrenched in popular depictions of voodoo, often associated with dark magic and harmful intentions. In conclusion, the invention of voodoo dolls cannot be attributed to a specific person or moment in history. They are part of a broader practice of sympathetic magic and the use of effigies in religious rituals. While their origin may remain uncertain, the lasting association between voodoo and the use of dolls continues to captivate the popular imagination..
Reviews for "The Ancestral Secrets Behind Voodoo Dolls: Discovering their Inventor"
1. Karen - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with "Who Invented Voodoo Dolls." The book lacked depth and was filled with inaccuracies and misinformation. As someone who is fascinated by the subject, I was hoping for a comprehensive exploration of the topic. Instead, the author provided a superficial overview and failed to provide any meaningful insights or analysis. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a thorough understanding of voodoo dolls.
2. John - 2 stars
I found "Who Invented Voodoo Dolls" to be a mediocre read. While the book did provide some historical context and information, I felt that it oversimplified and sensationalized the topic. The author seemed more interested in perpetuating stereotypes and myths rather than providing a balanced perspective. The lack of research and credible sources was evident, and I was left feeling unsatisfied and misinformed. I would suggest looking for alternative books that offer a more accurate portrayal of the history and significance of voodoo dolls.
3. Sarah - 1 star
I regret wasting my time and money on "Who Invented Voodoo Dolls." The book was poorly written and lacked coherence. The author jumped from one topic to another without providing any clear structure or organization. Additionally, the information provided was shallow and lacked depth. It seemed more like a collection of poorly researched Wikipedia articles rather than a well-crafted book. Save yourself the disappointment and look for a more reputable source if you are interested in learning about voodoo dolls.
4. Mark - 2 stars
"Who Invented Voodoo Dolls" failed to meet my expectations. The author's writing style was dry and unengaging, making it difficult to maintain interest in the subject matter. The book lacked a clear focus and often provided conflicting information. It felt as though the author was simply regurgitating information without providing any critical analysis or new insights. I would recommend seeking out other books on the topic that offer a more engaging and credible exploration of voodoo dolls.
5. Emily - 1 star
I found "Who Invented Voodoo Dolls" to be highly disappointing. The book was riddled with grammatical errors and typos, which made it difficult to take seriously. Additionally, the author's explanations were often confusing and unclear, leaving me more puzzled than enlightened. The lack of in-depth research and credible sources was evident throughout the book, making it difficult to trust the information presented. I would advise readers to steer clear of this poorly written and poorly researched book.