Please join us for

An Encounter With Vodou: The Soul of Haiti

Date: January 3-15, 2012
Location: Petite-Rivière, Leogâne (Haiti)

Vodou which means “spirit” is the dominant religion in Haiti. Rooted in Benin, formerly known as Dahomey in West Africa, some 6000 years ago, the vodou spirits traveled with the slaves as they were sold to their masters in Haiti. Vodou is not just a religion but the cultural identity of Haiti. One common saying is that Haitians are 70 percent Catholic, 30 percent Protestant, and 100 percent vodou. To understand vodou is to know the Haitian soul.

Please join us as we embark on a journey to Leogâne, Haiti to discover the Haitian vodou, a fascinating but often misunderstood religion. Experience the vodou philosophy in a semi-rural community, meet vodou practitioners, and interact with vodou priests and priestess while learning of the tenets of the vodou religion. Additionally, you will participate in vodou prayers and witness one of the most important vodou feasts of “Les Rois” on January 6, 2012. Opportunities exist for anthropology researchers, theology students and interns desiring to prolong their stay beyond the trip’s date.

Lodging will be at Kiskeya Guest House, an environmentally friendly, solar powered guest house dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understandings and the Haitian culture. The guest house is located on Kiskeya Aqua Ferme, an organic farm in Petite-Rivière. Kiskeya Guest House is supported by a grant from the Inter American Fund and the Haitian Hometown Association Resource Group.

Program fee: $1000 (includes food, lodging and local transportation only). Space is limited to 10 participants who will also have the opportunity to transfer knowledge and technology to the local community.

To register, please contact Program coordinator, Marjorie Desanges @ (617) 433-7003 (U.S.)
John Walter Pele Charité 011 (509) 3611-3619 (Haïti)
Email: kiskeyaguesthouse@yahoo.com

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