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(Part of my essay)

Voodoo is an extremely significant part of Haitian culture, and important to the population. Haitian people have been described as, "70% Catholic, 30% Protestant, and 100% voodoo"Special:Wysiwyg, and their religion; "the axis around which…much of Haitian life revolves."Special:WysiwygDespite it only becoming legal in 2003Special:Wysiwyg, plans are already being made to construct special Voodoo hospitals and schoolsSpecial:Wysiwyg, showing that Voodoo in Haiti has the same prominence as Christianity in the U.S.A., or Judaism in Israel. Haitians are brought up learning about the Loa and how best to worship them as well as the history that created their unique religion.

From birth, Haitians have a bond between themselves and the Loa which they have been assigned, a connection which they believe forms their character. One believer I spoke to told me how she is constantly drawn to water, and is a fantastic swimmer because her Loa takes care of water. The way they dress, think and behave is tailored to honour their spirit, and they rely on them to provide aid should it be needed. Youngsters are taught about the religion and from an early age they attend ceremonies. Many believe their career path is chosen by the Loa, for example in a short documentary I saw, a Houngan wanted his daughter to receive a modern education, despite a Loa telling him she should become a spirit medium. He defied its wishes, yet his daughter couldn't understand or hear her teacher, and he learned that she would never find a good path in life.Special:Wysiwyg
Special:WysiwygBBC News, (2003) Haiti makes voodoo official [Online] Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2985627.stm [Accessed 18 December 2009]

Special:WysiwygPrimary referencing: DAVIS, supra note 1, at 110. "La Ronde des Vodu," a 1987 documentary by Elsie Haas, a Haitian, examines the function of vodoun in Haiti. DASH, supra note 10, at 92. Secondary referencing: Op Cit., Legalizing Voodoo: Haiti Officially Recognizes Vodoun as a Religion [Online] [Accessed: 18 December 2009]

Special:WysiwygOp Cit., Legalizing Voodoo: Haiti Officially Recognizes Vodoun as a Religion [Online] [Accessed: 18 December 2009]

Special:WysiwygOp Cit., Haiti makes voodoo official [Online] [Accessed 18 December 2009]

Special:WysiwygVideoSift, (2008) The birth of Voodoo [Online] Available at: http://documentaries.videosift.com/video/The-birth-of-Voodoo [Accessed 28 December 2009]

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Q: How does voodoo play a role in Haiti?
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