Is Voodoo a combinations of christian beliefs and west African religions?

Answer 1

Vodou is the culmination of various African tribes coming together because of slavery and combining different rituals as one. There are only a few catholic symbols used in Vodou.

The use of saints is sometimes common. Africans were taken with nothing besides the clothes on their backs. When brought to Haiti they saw the owners praying to the saints. The saw there deities symbols within the iconography of the saints. They used the saints to represent the lwa. The saints themselves are not part of the Vodou service.

The other thing that is part of the religion is the singing of Our Father, Hail Mary, and the Apostles Creed. Again similar concept as above. The owners tried to force the Africans (who didn't speak English) to convert to Christianity. They were forced to attend service and the like. They saw these prayers were used to start the service, liked it and incorporated it into Vodou.

There are no christian beliefs in Vodou. But there are catholic ideas. Vodou is an evolutionary religion meaning ideas are assimilated into the mainstream practice but the root of the religion always remains the same. That is honor your ancestor, serve the lwa, and serve Bondye (God).

Is it a combination yes...it is a combination of various African tribes. No christian beliefs here!

Answer 2

Yes. Exactly. You have the tribal circle in the ritual, but you also have a form of the consecration. The idea of posession/exorcism is common to both traditions. The use of blood common as well, though in the Christian it is tamed down to wine.

I think you will find that almost all Western religions have cross pollinated and influenced one another. Hard to say what came first.

Answer 3

Yes. And homemade wine.