Vodun: Secrecy and the Search for Divine Power

Tourists to Ouidah, a city on the coast of the Republic of BÉnin, in West Africa, visit well-known sites of significance to the VodÚn religion, such as the Python Temple and King Kpasse's sacred forest. However, other, less familiar places, such as the palace of the supreme chief of VodÚn in BÉnin, are also rising in popularity. Timothy R. Landry examines the connections between local VodÚn priests and spiritual seekers who travel to BÉnin, arguing that the ways in which the priests and tourists negotiate the transfer of confidential, sacred knowledge create its value. He highlights the ethical implications of producing and consuming culture by local and international agents, demonstrating how secrecy is critically important to VodÚn's global expansion.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Tourists visiting Ouidah, a city on the coast of the Republic of BÉnin in West Africa, often explore well-known sites associated with the VodÚn religion, such as the Python Temple and King Kpasse's sacred forest. However, there are also lesser-known places gaining popularity among adventurous tourists and those seeking deeper spiritual experiences. Timothy R. Landry delves into the interactions between local VodÚn priests and spiritual seekers who travel to BÉnin, some seeking a snapshot of the religion and others seeking full initiation. He argues that the value of VodÚn ritual practice and material culture lies in the secrecy surrounding it, with greater secrecy increasing its authenticity, desirability, and cost. Landry, who has participated in numerous VodÚn ceremonies, rituals, and festivals, examines the role of money, deity incarnation, cultural adaptation, and belief in spirits, sorcery, and witchcraft. He highlights the ethical implications of producing and consuming culture by local and international agents, particularly in the context of racialization, power, and the legacy of colonialism. Landry demonstrates how secrecy plays a crucial role in VodÚn's global expansion, despite its paradoxical nature.

Weight: 334g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780812225259