Voodoo is perhaps the most mysterious of all mainstream religions. It can also be a very powerful force. It is believed by some that Voodoo can even be used to kill enemies and to resurrect dead believers in a zombified state!
Many slaves brought to Stoke in the 1700s were Voodoo worshippers. However, in Stoke, they found they were at the forefront of a backlash against Voodoo by the Catholic Church. Catholic slave-owners were encouraged by church leaders to convert their slaves "with lethal force".
However, Voodoo High Priest Eric Djemba-Germain roused his followers in Stoke. Several high profile Catholics died under mysterious circumstances around this time, the most bizarre being a priest who was found dead while having sex with a scarecrow. The Voodoo Church claimed responsibility. The Catholic Church called an uneasy truce.
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| Some Catholics |
Catholic priests continued to speak against Voodoo from the pulpits but did not actively campaign against their rival religion until 1796 when an impatient bishop, Padraig McCock, began to organise anti-voodoo rallies and beatings. In 1800, the Catholic Church launched a violent campaign of renunciation directed at Voodoo followers. The priests went about their attacks with such a blood-thirst that the English government was forced to intercede and command them to cease and desist.
Despite the persecution, the Voodoo faith was continued in secret, particularly in Hanley's French Quarter. Over time it even adopted some aspects of the Catholic religion, as descendants of the original believers spread throughout across the world. The beliefs of European workers mixed with Voodoo practices of slaves was soon created in Stoke with its fertile blend of immigrant cultures.
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Dave Munton, who has investigated
Voodoo practises |
Today, it is believed that 10% of Stoke citizens, mainly people who live in the French Quarter in Hanley, practise Voodoo.
There is still a great deal of mystery and fear attached to Voodoo rituals. At a Voodoo ceremony, there is normally a feast (consisting of traditional Stoke foods such as oatcakes, pikelets and chips), worshipping, dancing and chanting. Normally an animal such as a chicken, goat, sheep or wolf is sacrificed and their blood is collected. This is used to sate the hunger of the angry gods.
Also well known are Voodoo dolls and Voodoo curses. Local entrepreneur and romantic swashbuckler Dave Munton spent several years collecting examples of "Voodoo death", instances in which men and women died as a result of being the recipient of a curse, an alleged supernatural visitation, or the breaking of some tribal or cultural taboo.
Voodoo black magic is performed by priests who place curses, and stick pins in Voodoo dolls to cause people pain and suffering. However, this use of Voodoo is now performed mainly for tourists, and the faith is promoted by its followers as being a wonderful way to understand the human condition and the world around us.
It is estimated there are now more than 60 million people who practice Voodoo worldwide, largely where people from Africa, Haiti and Stoke have settled.
The Voodoo Church in Stoke also operates celebrity centres for its many high profile followers. Members of the public are not banned from the centres but are encouraged not to attend and bother the important people. The centres were established in 1954 to attract celebrities, artists, politicians and captains of industry to attend. Church leaders believe that Voodoo speaks to celebrities and high profile people better than other religions. "It's like this: Voodoo suits celebrity personalities," explains High Priestess LaDonna Brubaker. "People who have money and fame need spiritual validation and guidance, which we can offer. Plus, we only take 7.5% of their earnings compared to the 10% most other religions want from celebrities."
