Grade: 100/100 points
Comments: This was a very unique project topic that I don’t often hear about. Your additional questions are interesting and relevant. I especially like #14, #19, and #20.
Your introduction is very helpful since I was not familiar with some of the details you provide. Your essay is well-written and includes great analysis, particularly on the issue of group persecution which I found insightful. You also found great comparisons with Daoism.
Terrific job!
Name: Celeste Jackson
Date of Interview: February 18, 2022
Name of Interviewee: Melissa Judon
Interviewees religion and denomination: African Traditional Religions (Hatian Vodu, Hoodoo, and Yoruba Ifa)
Part 1: The Interview
Question #1: What is the goal of your religion?
Answer #1: Honoring God and ancestors. Getting closer to the ancestors and honoring them brings you closer to God.
Question #2: Would you say that your beliefs help define who you are? Why or why not?
Answer #2: Yes. My whole life is built around it.
Question #3: Were you born into your religion or did you convert? If you converted, why?
Answer# 3: I converted to the religion. Never felt comfortable in the Southern Baptist church and did not feel represented as a woman.
Question #4: Can you describe your image/concept of the ultimate/god(s)/power(s)?
Answer #4: God is more androgenous and has male and female energies. I pull from whichever energy is needed.
Question #5: What is an important message that your religion teaches?
Answer #5: Treat others how you want to be treated. Act with a good heart and pure intentions. Good character is important and good or bad things can come back to you.
Question #6: What is your favorite aspect of your religion? Why?
Answer #6: Active prayer and rituals. Makes me feel as if I am a part of God. I feel included. Makes me feel empowered.
Question #7: Are there any important holidays in your religion? Why are they significant?
Answer #7: There are feast days for each deity. The spring equinox is celebrated as the New Year. It is significant because it is celebrated with my god family and it is a time to set intentions for the new year.
Question #8: How does your religion explain what will happen to us after we die?
Answer #8: Death is called transition. When you transition you are welcomed to the other side by those who went before you. You then party for one year. You eat or starve based on whether those still alive acknowledge or forget you. Afterwards, you can continue to stay there or be reincarnated to help others.
Question #9: Do people face any cultural or political challenges because they are a member of your faith group?
Answer #9: Yes, the religion is stigmatized. Portrayed in a negative or evil way on TV and in movies. There are a lot of assumptions people have that are not true. We don't feel free to practice openly.
Question #10: Is there a sacred text in your religion? If so, do you have a favorite part?
Answer #10: There are no written sacred texts. The religions have an oral tradition.
Question #11: Are there any rituals or practices that are required by your religion?
Answer #11: There are numerous levels of knowledge you can reach in the Ifa tradition. You have to be invited and then initiated into each one, including the first step of joining the religion. To be initiated you have to visit Hatti for Hatian Vodu.
Question #12: How does your religion impact your relationships with your spouse and children?
Answer #12: I introduced my husband gradually. I use oils on him and ask the ancestors for help on his behalf. I give my children gifts to give to their ancestors. I see them as ancestors that have come back. I treat them with more kindness and don’t discard the knowledge they have. My daughter is a great grandmother and my son is old spirit. I treat them like people.
Question #13: What effect has your religion had on you personally?
Answer #13: I feel more empowered, more connected to God, stronger, and safe.
Question #14: Does your religion have a concept of good and evil?
Answer #14: No. There is light and dark in everything. You can hide in the dark for protection. Your intentions are what make a difference. Dark and light can be used for good or bad.
Question #15: Does your religion have a prophet?
Answer #15: No prophet but there are popular practitioners.
Question #16: Does your religion have a communal aspect? Do you go to “church”, or have services?
Answer #16: I study as often as godmother sees fit. My mumbo (teacher) teaches once a week. When we get together there is teaching, singing and reading from the Bible. I am also taught the proper way to perform different practices.
Question #17: How does your religion view the Christian Bible?
Answer #17: The Hoodoo tradition uses the Christian Bible as a tool and views the book of Psalms as a spell book.
Question #18: Are there any official organizations in your religion?
Answer #18: There are not many, one is the Ifa Society.
Question #19: How are LGBTQ people understood and treated?
Answer #19: Some Ifa’s are ok with someone being LGBTQ but they are not allowed into leadership positions. It is ok in Vodu. In Hoodoo you can be gay but cannot have a partner.
Question #20: What are your hopes for your religion in the future and for you personally?
Answer #20: I hope it will become more understood. It’s happening as more people are beginning to learn more about their culture’s traditional religions. Looking forward to being able to practice more openly. I’m still learning, finding my place, and doing my best.
Part 2: The Essay
Introduction
For my project I chose to interview my cousin-in-law, Melissa Judon. I conducted our interview virtually using Google Meets. She practices three African Traditional Religions (ATR). I chose to interview her because I didn’t know she no longer considered herself a Christian and I was not familiar with ATR. The three ATR’s she practices are Haitian Vodu, Yoruba Ifa, and Hoodoo.
Hatian Vodu was started by African’s brought to Haiti as slaves. It combines West African practices with elements of Roman Catholic Christianity. Yoruba Ifa is a divination practice that originated in Nigeria. Hoodoo is a group of practices started by Africans brought to America as slaves that includes elements of Christianity and the use of roots and herbs in their practices. In order to join one must study and then be invited into each system to become a full member. Once initiated they continue to study to achieve higher levels of understanding.
Question #1: What is the goal of your religion?
Throughout our interview I found that some beliefs and practices of ATR are very similar to beliefs and practices found in Chinese religions. For example Hoodoo and Confucianism both teach ancestor veneration which is one of the goals of Hoodoo. Within both Hoodoo and Confucianism participants are expected to not only remember their ancestors but to make sacrifices to them in the form of gifts and food to keep them happy. As a part of her Hoodoo practice, Melissa has set up an altar for her ancestors in her home.
At the beginning of her day she checks in with them and provides them with food and drink. Her Yoruba practice has a different òrìṣàs (previously human divine spirits) for each day that sets the tone for what she will focus on daily. Honoring the ancestors and òrìṣàs allows them to have influence in her life. Confucist and ATR followers believe these ancestors can sway situations in their favor or send signs when guidance is needed. Each ancestor reveals an aspect of God that brings Melissa closer to Him/Her.
Question #3: Were you born into your religion or did you convert? If you converted, why?
As a child Melissa’s family was a part of the Southern Baptist Christian denomination. In church she didn’t see herself fully represented. Southern Baptists are traditionally very conservative and while she saw her mother teach Sunday School, the roles for women were limited. Over the years she began to read more about religion and discovered there were things her church did not make her aware of, such as books that were left out of the King James Version Bible. This led her to search for more information and after some years she found her way to ATR.
I have come across similar stories online that tell of a person not being comfortable with what their church teachings or feeling like they have more questions than answers. Often they will ask questions and not find satisfactory answers within the bounds of the religion so they begin to search elsewhere. A place people ofter use to search for answers is online. It’s very easy today to find different opinions and perspectives on virtually any topic. This allows people to also have access to other religious beliefs and practices that they may not come across otherwise. With the help of the internet it’s easier to find answers to questions, find a religion that is a better fit, or discover that you no longer want to be religious.
Question #9: Do people face any cultural or political challenges because they are a member of your faith group?
In popular culture religions with African roots are often portrayed in a negative light. In the Disney movie The Princess and the Frog the villain Dr. Facilian or Shadow Man, is a con artist that uses Voodoo and Hatian spirits, loa, to manipulate the other characters. In my personal experience anything relating to African religion is labeled as devil worship, demons or evil spirits. African spirit possessed people have been referred to as zombies which brings up incorrect images and assumptions. In contrast some Christian groups view being filled with the “holy spirit” and practicing glossolalia as a special religious experience.
A lot of the miscaritarizations can be traced back to Africans being brought to America as slaves and being forced to convert to Christianity. The damage done back then has continued through today. With these ideas embedded in American culture and media it has hindered Melissa and other ATR believers from practicing publicly for fear of being negatively labeled or ostracized by family and friends.
Question #14: Does your religion have a concept of good and evil?
Melissa believes that there are light and dark energies in everything. Light and dark are equally helpful and it is your intention behind their use that makes it right or wrong. The concept of light and dark reminds me of the ying/yang concept found in Chinese religions. The focus on intention in using the light and dark are similar to the understanding of karma in Buddhism.
There is no concept of dualism in ATR’s where two forces fight for power like in Christianity. I would describe ATR as polytheistic or more specifically henotheistic. Melissa believes in God and the spirits of her ancestors. Honoring and acknowledging the ancestors brings her closer to God who is above all.
Conclusion
I enjoyed the interview process and found that my religion classes provided me with a good foundation for understanding Melissa’s beliefs. Having an understanding of Eastern religions and having knowledge of certain religious concepts was especially helpful. I was very happy to see Melissa volunteer for the interview. I was honored to be someone she was willing to open herself up and share a part of her life with me that she doesn’t always get to share with our family. I believe Melissa has found a belief system that fully represents and acknowledges her as a Black woman. Hearing her story and learning about her religion has given me a better understanding and appreciation for ATR which is a religion that my own ancestors would have likely practiced.
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