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Title: Sacred Arts of Haitian Voodoo by Donald Cosentino, Los Angeles Fowler Museum of Cultural Histor University of California ISBN: 0-930741-47-1 Publisher: Univ of California Museum of Pub. Date: September, 1995 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $60.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.75 (4 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The Definitive Text on Haitian Vodou Art
Comment: As the title says, if you are interested in Vodou-influenced Haitian art (in other words, most Haitian art), this is the definitive book on the subject. If you are not interested in the subject, the breathtaking illustrations are likely to make you a convert.
Consentino has compiled some excellent information to go along with the pictures, including interviews with Vodouisants and artists. He avoids the all-too-common sensationalist treatments of Haitian Vodou, and is never condescending or patronizing. He (correctly) treats Vodou like a world religion, and gives it due respect; his scholarship is impeccable both in art and comparative religion. Well worth the cost: this is a coffee table book you will cherish.
Rating: 4
Summary: Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou
Comment: This book is the catalogue of the recent New Orleans Vodou exhibit. I had studied comparative religions when I was in college, so the origins and practice of vodou are of natural interest to me, but I knew absolutely nothing about vodou until seeing this exhibit. Having lived in New Orleans, I had always thought that voodoo involved sticking pins into dolls to bring bad luck or disease to an enemy and other darkly occult rituals. Obviously, I didn't understand vodou at all, not even to know the correct spelling. The Hollywood film industry is responsible for a large part of our misconceptions about vodou.
I quote André Pierre, a contributor to the catalog: "The Vodou religion is before all other religions. It is more ancient than Christ. It is the first religion of the Earth. It is the creation of the World. The World is created by Vodou. The world is created by magic. The first magician is God who created people with his own hands from the dust of the Earth. People originated by magic in all countries of the world. No one lives of the flesh. Everyone lives of the spirit."
Spirits (lwa) of vodou define parts of the universal human experience. The spirits all have names and personalities, very much like Roman Catholic saints. Like Mexican altars to deceased ancestors for El Dia de los Muertos, these vodou spirits are offered their favorite things that represent these personalities. These items are placed on altars or sewn in sequins and beads on 36" x 36" flags in their honor. The spirits, like saints, are invoked to grant favors or assist in getting through a difficult time, or they are praised for their virtues and help.
My two favorite Vodou spirits are Ezili Freda and Ezili Danto. These cousins are diametrically opposed forces of femininity. Ezili Freda represents love and luxury, a city girl who has elegant fashion sense, likes sweet drinks and Virginia Slims cigarettes. She looks pretty, dressed in white lace with pink trim. Her day is Thursday. Mater Dolorosa represents Ezili Freda.
Her country cousin Ezili Danto is linked to protective motherhood. She dresses in bright red and blue calicos and drinks strong rum. Black pigs symbolize Ezili Danto and her favorite food is fried pork. She smokes unfiltered Camel cigarettes and her days are Tuesdays and Saturdays. Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Mater Salvatoris represent Ezili Danto.
This catalog allows a closer study of the brilliant sequin art associated with vodou. Spirit bottles, mirrors, jackets, vests, leggings and flags are covered with the flash of sequins that are anchored with seed beads. The symbols of the vodou spirits and their aspects are reflected by the designs made with the sequins and beads.
The Sacred Arts catalog is an obviously well researched and comprehensive look at Vodou. I highly recommend it for a broad range of people, from cultural anthropologists to decorative artists.
Rating: 5
Summary: Best I've read on the subject
Comment: I've been obsessed with this book ever since I was introduced to it. I find it well-researched and unbiased. It provides an accurate glance into this unfairly shunned religion.
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Title: Haitian Vodou Flags by Patrick Arthur Polk ISBN: 1578060249 Publisher: University Press of Mississippi Pub. Date: 01 January, 1998 List Price(USD): $22.50 |
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Title: Vodou Things: The Art of Pierrot Barra and Marie Cassaise by Donald J. Cosentino ISBN: 1578060141 Publisher: University Press of Mississippi Pub. Date: 01 January, 1998 List Price(USD): $22.50 |
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Title: Vodou Visions: An Encounter With Divine Mystery by Sallie Ann Glassman ISBN: 0375753702 Publisher: Random House Inc Pub. Date: 23 May, 2000 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Rara: Vodou, Power, and Performance in Haiti and Its Diaspora by Elizabeth A. McAlister ISBN: 0520228235 Publisher: University of California Press Pub. Date: 01 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Secrets of Voodoo by Milo Rigaud ISBN: 0872861716 Publisher: City Lights Publishers Pub. Date: 01 June, 1985 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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