The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHILE WORKING IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI IN 1980, I HEARD
VARIOUS STORIES BY HAITIANS REGARDING VARIOUS VOODOO PRACTICES.
I WAS WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE, AND THE SISTER IN CHARGE OF
THE ORPHANAGE, SISTER VERONICA, INFORMED US THAT THE
BUILDING NEXT DOOR WAS A VOODOO TEMPLE. DURING EVENING
VOODOO WORSHIPS, BABIES WERE OFTEN KILLED AND THEIR HEARTS
BURNT AS OFFERINGS TO THE VOODOO GODS. BABIES WERE CHEAP
BECAUSE OF THE DIRE POVERTY IN HAITI. EACH EVENING, SISTER
WOULD MAKE SURE ALL THE ORPHANS WERE INSIDE AND SECURE
SO VOODOO WORSHIPERS WOULD NOT SNATCH THE CHILDREN.
SISTER INFORMED US THAT HUNDREDS OF SHRUNKEN HEADS HUNG
FROM THE CEILING OF THE TEMPLE.

Submitter comment: I WORKED FOR A MONTH AT THIS ORPHANAGE LEARNING ABOUT THE
THIRD WORLD AND POVERTY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-00-1980