The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHILE WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI IN
1980, I MET A WOMAN NAMED MADAME PAPION. MADAME WAS A
DEVOUT CATHOLIC, YET ALSO A BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF THE
EVIL SPIRIT TO TAKE POSSESSION OF ONE'S BODY. SHE INFORMED
ME ABOUT HER SON WHO RECENTLY WAS POSSESSED. HE WOKE UP
DURING THE EVENING WITH HIS WHOLE BODY SHAKING AND HIS TEETH
CHATTERING AGAINST EACH OTHER. MADAME POURED HOLY WATER
OVER HIS BODY, AND IMMEDIATELY HIS SHAKING AND CHATTERING
STOPPED. HER SON KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS EVENT THE
FOLLOWING MORNING.

Submitter comment: VOODOO BELIEFS ARE VERY PREVALENT IN HAITI, AND WATER
BLESSED BY A CATHOLIC PRIEST, HOLY WATER, IS OFTEN USED
TO CURE A PERSON FROM POSSESSION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-00-1980