Dominican ''Vudú'', or Dominican Voodoo (), popularly known as ''Las 21 Divisiones'' (The 21 Divisions), is a heavily Catholicized syncretic religion of African-Caribbean origin which developed in the former Spanish colony of

Santo Domingo Santo Domingo, formerly known as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic and the List of metropolitan areas in the Caribbean, largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean by population. the Distrito Na ...

on the island of

Hispaniola Hispaniola (, also ) is an island between Geography of Cuba, Cuba and Geography of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico in the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean. Hispaniola is the most populous island in the West Indies, and the second-largest by List of C ...

History

Since the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the 16th-century, there were uprisings against the slave owners and

Maroon Maroon ( , ) is a brownish crimson color that takes its name from the French word , meaning chestnut. ''Marron'' is also one of the French translations for "brown". Terms describing interchangeable shades, with overlapping RGB ranges, inc ...

villages were built (also known in other parts of the continent as quilombos or manieles). But many other blacks continued under the system of colonial oppression. They were forbidden to express their religious beliefs, among other restrictions. The authority of the owner or boss of the plantation where the slaves were forced to work extended to their spirituality. The process of evangelization in the colonies would not allow them to freely express their beliefs and they were forced to observe Catholic customs. In the Counter-Reformation Church – in opposition to Lutheran ideas – the cult of saints and their images became fundamental in the ritual and indoctrination of Catholicism.

Beliefs

* Anaisa Pye, the Misterio or lwa of love and happiness. She is syncretized with St. Anne, mother of Mary. Her feast day is July 26. * Belie Belcan, the Loa of justice and protection against demons. He is syncretized with St. Michael, the Archangel. His feast day is September 29. *Candelo sé Difé, Loa of fire, also a warrior and protector spirit. Considered to be one of the Ogou, syncretized with St. Charles Borromeo. His feast day is November 4. *Santa Marta Dominadora, or Filomena Lubana, the Loa responsible for dominion over men. She is syncretized with St. Martha. Her feast day is July 29. * Ogun Balenyo, the Loa of warriors and soldiers. He is syncretized with

Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...

(St. James). His feast day is July 25. *

Baron Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often Hereditary title, hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than ...

, the Loa of death. He is syncretized with San Elías (St. Elijah). His feast day is November 2. *Metresili, the Loa of love, beauty, and wealth. She is syncretized with the '' Mater Dolorosa'' (Our Lady of Dolors). *Santa Barbara Africana or Ezili Dantor, The main loa (or lwa) or senior spirit of the Petro family. She is syncretized with Black Madonna.

Characteristics

Dominican Vudú is practiced through a "Tcha-Tcha" (''

Maraca A maraca ( , , ), sometimes called shaker or chac-chac, is a rattle which appears in many genres of Caribbean and Latin music. It is shaken by a handle and usually played as part of a pair. Maracas, also known as tamaracas, were rattles of d ...

''—which means "rattle") lineage.Papa Hector Salv
''Las 21 Divisiones'' (''Vudú Dominicana'') — "The 21 Divisions" (Dominican Voodoo)
In Haiti, Voodoo has come about and become more popular through another lineage known as the "Asson". However, before the "Asson", the "Tcha-Tcha" lineage was the prominent lineage in Haiti. Thus the "Tcha-Tcha" lineage is one of the oldest lineages within the Voodoo tradition all over the island. Dominican Vudú practitioners are often called ''Caballos'' ('Horses'), ''Brujos'' ('Witch doctors'), or ''Servidores'' ('Servants'), but they are also known as ''Papa Bokos'' and ''Papa Loa'' (priest); and ''Mama Mambos'' and ''Mama Loa'' (priestess). One who has obtained this title has gone through the last and highest level of initiation which can take anywhere between three and nine days and nights as well as have spent a time working for the community.

References

External links

''Malas Vibras En Casa & Como Quitarlas'' (''21 divisiones'')
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dominican Vudu Dominican Vudú Afro-Caribbean religion African diaspora in the Dominican Republic Culture of the Dominican Republic Religion in the Dominican Republic Voodoo