The Conflicting Worldviews of Vodou and Christians

As earlier stated, religions are uniquely differentiated by the world view and more often than not, a comparative analysis of two religions for their world view perspective is bound to reveal the conflicting elements of their ideological foundations. A host of factors coincide to furnish religions with their unique world views. Since these factors and circumstances are different, the world view would certainly be different. This is responsible for why Vodou world view conflicts with Christian perspectives. Some of these conflicts I will discuss presently. Christianity is a monotheistic religion which believes in the existence of one supreme God, the creator of all things, all other creations are under his command. Vodou on the other hand, has a strong polytheistic dimension. It believes in the existence of Lwa and deities who acts as intermediaries who help take the supplications of men to God, who is believed to be too busy to directly concern Himself with the affairs of men. Christianity believes that God is everywhere and hears us at all times. This means that Vodou’s believe in the absence of God conflicts with Christian believe in the omnipresent and immediate availability of God. Christianity believes that upon death, man’s soul returns to God to give an account of its action on earth on the basis of which it would be rewarded with eternal sweetness in heaven or eternal sufferings in hell (Hebrews 9:27, King James version).

On the other hand, Vodou believe man has two souls, one which gives life and the other which protects. At death, the former returns to God for judgement and is faced with three possibilities which are: to remain in heaven as a saint, to return to earth as a good Lwa or to be inherited by a new born and to return as a bad Lwa. Thirdly, Christians believe that Jesus’ atonement on the cross nullifies the need for further sacrifices. Vodou on the other hand believes in the sacrifice of animals during rituals. This practice is one of the reasons Christians label Vodou as fetish and demonic.

44 2.1.6 The Culture of Haiti

Culturally Haiti differs from most of countries in the Caribbean. One of the most basic features one must know about Haitians, they always share greetings to one another. When two men meet to greet each other they usually shake hands and maintain eye contact. Two women generally do the same at first meeting. Whereas friends and close acquaintances usually kiss each other once on the cheek; when a man and a woman for the first time generally they shake hands the first time they meet. Family and close acquaintances usually share a light kiss on the cheek.

Haitians tend to be very indirect in communicating. Often tiny points are made with stories and parables as many people take the long way around to get to the point. A good conversation starter is asked about one’s family. Conversation via telephone is commonplace, but it is no substitute for personal visits and conversation in person. The traditional “see you tomorrow” is translated

“Demen si Dye Vle.” Haitians always say “Si Dye Vle” “if God wants” just to state that only God can decide whether they will have the opportunity to meet again. If ever you forget to mention “Si Dye Vle” if “God wants” while taking an appointment either an old person or the person you talk to will remind you to add it.

Language. - The two official languages of Haiti are French and Haitian Creole. French was the only official language since independence until the Constitution of 1987 recognized Haitian Creole as an official language alongside French. Haitians express best in Haitian Creole for a good joke can only be told in local vernacular. Haiti is one of two independent nations in the Americas (along with Canada) to designate French as an official language. For many decades French has been the solo language of instruction until Haitian Creole was added into primary school curriculum by the

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1987 Constitution. Today, the two languages are present in instruction nationwide even some schools and parents are still reluctant to the idea of using Haitian Creole as language of instruction.

Transportation services like the “tap-tap” (taxi/bus combo), do not tend to run on time and will surely depart they are full. Punctuality is not highly valued and being late is not considered rude.

The legally drinking age is 15, and is not readily enforced. It’s best to ask permission before taking pictures of locals. When it comes to negotiating, most Haitians love the drama and show of negotiating. They may pretend to be horribly offended by your offer, but this is usually just ploy to up the ante. Usually the best actor wins.

Haitian art is a complex tradition, reflection of African roots with strong indigenous American and European aesthetic and religious influences. It is an important representation of Haitian culture and history. The Haitian sculpture is made of natural materials, traditional art mediums and recycled materials.

An iceberg can serve as a useful metaphor to conceptualize culture as consisting of different layers (Schein, 1992). As an iceberg floats in the water, the huge mass of it remains under the surface.

Certain aspects of a culture are more visible, just like the tip of an iceberg. This manifest culture includes observed elements such as behaviors, language, music and food. A deeper understanding of a culture only develops by looking at the submerged tip of the iceberg. This deeper layer consists of expressed values that reflect how cultural members explain the manifest culture. Finally, the very bottom of the iceberg consists of basic and taken-for-granted assumptions which form the

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foundations of each culture. It is these basic assumptions that provide the ultimate meaning to the expressed values and behaviors.

Based on surveys taken during July 8, 2009 to January 20, 2010 and utilizing Hofstede’s national culture dimensions (Hofstede, 2001), Haiti has a national culture value system differences that investors and sojourners who are interested to do business or live in Haiti need to know about people’s ways of thinking in order to reduce cultural shock when they enter Haitian culture (Marc, 2010). It is also imperative that Haitian people be aware and seek to understanding national culture value in order to resolve cultural and socio-political conflicts.

Religious population. – As most of the inhabitants of Haiti are of African descent (i.e. black 95%, mixed and white 5%), the folk religion is Vodou but other religions such as Christianism and Islam are practiced too. Currently, the population is estimated to be 10, 788, 440 (July 2018 est.) people and religious affiliation of Haitian was estimated in 2003 as follow: 54.7 % of the population are Roman Catholic, 28.5 are Protestants (Baptist 15.4%, Pentecostal 7.9%, Adventist 3%, Methodist 1.5%, other .7%), Vodou (official) 2.1%, other 4.6% (i.e. Baha’i Faith, Islam, Judaism, Buddhist, Hindus), unaffiliated 10.2%. (Central Intelligence Agency, 2019). There is a small growing community of Muslims in Haiti; it is estimated between 4, 000 and 5, 000 according to the officials with the major Islamic groups (Arab News, January 18^th, 2013).

According to Central Intelligence Agency – The World Fact book, Haiti’s main import partners are Dominican Republic, the Netherlands Antilles, China and the USA. Haiti is the world’s leading producer of vetiver but it exports crops such as mangoes, coffee, papaya,

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mahogany nuts and watercress as well. The national currency of Haiti is the Haitian gourde, currently 90.94 HG for 1 USD. Today, Haiti is classified as one of the world’s poorest countries and the poorest in the America region. However, it welcomes plenty of tourists from everywhere.

Tourists usually enjoy Haiti’s tropical climate, cuisine and social life.

Music and dance are integral part of social life, culture, religion and even politic in Haiti.

Performances like dancing, singing, acting or playing music always occur during religious holidays, ceremonies, and official/special events. For instances, Catholic Lenten season in Haiti intertwine with Rara festival and Haitian Carnival. While many Christians are fasting and do ing penance, these festivities are celebrating on the streets with music, bands and parades (often traditional Vodou related). The Haitian carnival has been one of the most popular carnivals in the Caribbean. Due to Haiti’s historical pass, its music and dance (even its cuisine) have been influenced by French, African, native Taino, and Spanish rhythm. Alongside music and dancing, the culinary delights of Haiti are well appreciated among locals and tourists. In the household (especially those who can afford it), Haitians eat two or three meals per day consisting of a light breakfast, a large lunch and a light dinner; these meals are often served hot and eaten the same day.