Who Do The Voodoo? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Haiti

Haitian voodoo is practiced in a number of Caribbean countries as well as parts of South America. It is also practiced in the southern United States, particularly Louisiana, where it is called New Orleans voodoo.

The word voodoo comes from a word meaning spirit, god or sacred object. Haitian voodoo has its roots in a West African religion called Vodun, practiced in Benin and Togo.

Slaves from Africa were brought to Haiti in the 1600s and it was these slaves who created voodoo, wanting to keep their African beliefs. Their Spanish slavers, and later the French, followed Roman Catholic traditions. Over time, voodoo became intertwined with Christianity.

Answer: Bondye

Sometimes referred to as the "good god", Bondye is considered to be unreachable. He is the creator of all things but does not interfere with the lives of the people. Instead, he directs lesser spirits to deal with his creations. As a result, the people accept his will and no rituals are held in his honour and no sacrifices or offerings are made to him.

Ra is the Egyptian sun god. Odin is the chief god in Norse mythology and Allah is the one true god according to Muslim beliefs.

Answer: Male and female priests

Houngans are male priests and mambos are female. These priests lead ceremonies, preserve rituals and songs, and protect those in their group from spells. A "bokor" is a priest or priestess who is capable of casting spells, deal in black magic, and create zombies.

In Haiti, voodoo priests are very powerful and respected in their respective communities. However, sometimes this power can backfire as they are held responsible for the bad that happens as well as the good. In 2010, Haiti suffered from a cholera outbreak. Many people blamed voodoo priests for using magic to spread the disease. At least 40 of them were hanged by lynch mobs.

Answer: Loa

Loa or Lwa are divided into nanchons or families. Rada, Petro and Ghede are some of these families. Each family has traditional colours and symbols. Individual loa have their own songs, dances as well as personal likes, dislikes, and articles of clothing.

Some loa are good and some bad, but in voodoo they are referred to as cool or hot depending on their individual personalities. During ceremonies, offerings and prayers or requests will be completely different depending on which loa is the focus.

Answer: Yes

In Haitian voodoo, possession is not feared or considered evil. Each participant in the ceremony is hoping that the loa being summoned will take possession of him/her. It is believed that the loa will make predictions of upcoming events as well as say and do things to enhance the life of the person possessed and their family.

If someone is possessed during the ceremony, the words and actions of that person will tell the priest which loa they are dealing with. Offerings will be made and certain items associated with the loa in question will be given to the one possessed. Possession can last for hours and the person in question never has any recollection of things that happened.

Answer: Symbol or picture

A veve is a symbol representing the loa which is to be summoned during the ceremony. The symbol or picture is drawn on the ground using cornmeal, chalk or powder. Each loa has its own veve, which is said to draw the loa to the earth during ceremonies. Offerings, usually food or drink, are placed on the veve for the loa.

Answer: Baron Samedi

Baron Samedi takes the souls of those who have died to the underworld. He is generally depicted wearing a tuxedo and top hat. He has a skull for a face and smokes a cigar. His wife is Maman Brigitte. Participants offer rum and tobacco to this loa during ceremonies. In popular culture, Baron Samedi is one of the villains in the James Bond film "Live and Let Die"(1973).

Erzulie Freda is the loa of love. Sobo is the loa of thunder and Agwe is the loa of the sea.

Answer: White

Anyone can participate in voodoo. Those who choose not to be initiated are simply called vodouisants. Hounsi kanzo members wear white at ceremonies, form the choir and could be possessed by a loa.

The second grade of initiation is called si pwen. Once an individual passes the requirements of this grade, they become a mambo or houngan priest. They will then lead ceremonies, songs, dances and conduct rituals.

The third grade is called asogwe. Those who reach this level would be considered the same as a bishop in the Roman Catholic religion. It is these people who initiate others into the religion and are the ultimate authority at ceremonies.

Answer: No

Voodoo dolls are mainly part of New Orleans voodoo in Louisiana, and are virtually non-existent in Haitian voodoo. They are never used in a proper ceremony. Only bokors or dark sorcerers of voodoo use dolls in their practices.

Voodoo dolls can be easily found in Haiti or Louisiana. They are made in huge quantities to be sold as souvenirs to tourists in an effort to make money.

Answer: Marie Laveau

Marie Laveau was a devout Catholic and a hairdresser in New Orleans in the 1820s and 1830s. At some point in the 1830s she began to preside over voodoo ceremonies as priestess. She was known to carry out rituals each year at Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana on June 23, St. John's Eve. This is a celebration dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. She became quite powerful and wealthy in New Orleans for decades before her death in 1881.

Marie Laveau is buried at the Glapion family crypt at St. Louis Cemetery Number 1 in New Orleans. Many visitors visit the crypt each year bringing gifts. They mark the grave with three X's, hoping a wish will be granted.

Marie Antoinette was the wife of King Louis XVI of France, Marie Curie was a famous scientist who won a Nobel prize and Marie Osmond is a famous American singer.