vooˈdoo [from the god Vodun], religious beliefs and practices, African in origin and also held by certain Caribbean peoples, particularly in Haiti, where voodoo was granted official religious status in 2003. Similar observances are found in Jamaica, under the name pocomania, and in parts of the United States and in the Guianas. A highly developed voodooistic religion known as candomblé is found in Brazil.

Although the magical aspects of voodoo are related to beliefs and practices found throughout the world, the basic features of voodoo were brought by slaves from W Africa (particularly those from what is now Benin), where the name originated and where the religion is still practiced. Voodoo contends that all of nature is controlled by spiritual forces which must be placated through offerings and animal sacrifice; ecstatic trances and magical practices play an important role in its ritual. In the New World, Christian elements were introduced, and the African deities became identified with various saints. At various time attempts have been made to suppress voodoo, but voodoo survived and continues to flourish.

See also magic ; Santería ; zombi.

See A. Métraux, Voodoo in Haiti (tr. 1959); F. Huxley, The Invisibles (1966).

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