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From: catherine yronwode <cat@luckymojo.com>
Organization: Lucky Mojo Curio Co. 
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Subject: Re: Question for Voodou/Santeria/Lucumi practioners...
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Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2001 22:03:23 GMT
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Mambo Michele wrote:
> 
> Greetings Lucky Hoodoo and list,
> 
> luckyhoodoo@aol.com (LuckyHoodoo) wrote: 
> 
> > What are your opinions regarding the current "fad" of using the 
> > Orisha in New Orleans style "Voodoo".
> 
> This is not a "current" fad.  New Orleans voodoo has been evolving
> along these lines for a while, especially since the revival of 
> voodoo as part of the tourism industry here in the sixties and 
> seventies and, at the same time, African Americans beginning to seek 
> out the ATR's as a part of their heritage (and finding Santeria/
> Lukumi more accessable in the US due to the Cuban migration). 

> > Also for Mambos/Hougans, I recently watched an interview on t.v. 
> > with the owner of "Isle of Salvation Botanica" where the owner 
> > claims to be a Mambo.  She states quite clearly that neither she, 
> > nor her congregation practice animal sacrifice.  Now I know that 
> > sacrifice is a vital componant of ATR's and I would
> > like the opinions of other Mambos/Hougans regarding this.
> 
> Mambo Sallie was initiated in Port au Prince into the Haitian Vodou.
> Her lineage can be verified, if that is a concern.  Chatting with 
> one of her hounsis yesterday, in fact, I received a clarification of 
> what they practice in Mambo Sallie's house.  Apparently, they call 
> it New Orleans Vodou. Elly's explanation basically is as follows. 
> New Orleans voodoo emphasizes magic and power (for good or ill). New 
> Orleans Vodou is Haitian Vodou with a New Orleans emphasis and 
> focusses on the religion, although work can be done as well.
> 
> Also, no, they do not practice animal sacrifice.  Mambo Sallie is
> vegetarian as are a number of people in her house.  My understanding
> is that were they to sacrifice the animals, there would be too much
> wasted meat because of their dietary choices.  Just last night they
> held a service for Dantor.  They cleansed some people with birds and
> set the birds free.  This is not an unacceptable practice and I have
> seen it used in a house of Ifa.  However, I do not know how they 
> would handle certain other work that, in traditional Haitian Vodou, 
> might require the death of an animal.  Nor do I know what they would 
> do should a Lwa demand a goat or rooster.  Those would best be 
> questions for Mambo Sallie herself.
> 
> Other houngan and mambo will have their thoughts on this issue but 
> for my part, if it works for the practitioners in that house...
> 
> Regards,
> Mambo Michele

Thanks for an informative, non-divisive post on a sometimes-tetchy
issue.

cat yronwode