Ghana’s Voodoo Roots
Vodun is a traditional religion that connects the country to other parts of Africa.
Ghana is heavily associated with Christianity in various forms. From the traditional movements such as Methodist or Episcopalian to the more popular evangelical mega churches led by pastors without affiliations to or roots in traditional theology or divinity. All of these are products of colonial expansion and it is sometimes difficult to find and know what is still present that connects Ghanaians to their roots. Voodoo spirituality, known in Ghana as Vodun, does.
Vodun is a traditional religion that connects not only West Africans in Togo, Nigeria, Benin, and Ghana, but is spread throughout the diaspora. It traces the journey of people of African descent throughout the world: in Ghana, the Ewe people call it Vodun; in Brazil, it is Vodum; in Haiti, Vodou; Cuba, Vodú; and in Louisiana, it goes by its most popular name: Voodoo. By some estimations, this polytheistic religion dates back thousands of years.
Contrary to popular belief concerning the word ‘voodoo’ in pop culture, the Ewe-rooted Vodun is not a vehicle for witchcraft and spells but a religion…
