The original article by assatashakur is very informative but incorrect on about half of the points she makes. I disagree. I think this is actually a very detailed overview, partly because it talks about the variations of voudou .... by the dominant ethnic group present in the particular section of Haiti where it developed. food preparation, dialect, and habits differ between regions of Haiti....so obviously there would be variants of voudou. I suggest those that do want to be informed about the Vodun/Voodoo practices consult a houngan, they should be fairly open to give a general outline of their practices. disagree again. academia and scholarship exists so that knowledge and information is available to a wide spectrum of people. Haitian and French scholars have done research and conducted interviews that have formed the foundation of academic knowledge about Voudou.Professors around the world with resources, have gone to the regions of Africa where the faith originated and done research and interviews there. As a result, there is no shortage of books, articles about voudou that technically provide a more detailed history,comparison, etc of voudou than what a local houngan may know. Under Duvalier Vodun was state religion of Ayiti. However, it was quickly appropriated by Duvalier as an instrument of supression. During his reign the more darker aspects of Vodun were brought to the fore as opposed to the more lighter aspects. (Red vs white loa's or Preta (hot) vs funfun (cool)).. A good example is his usage of the Ton ton Macoute's militia. Originally ton ton Macoute was an agricultural loa and had many uses in fertilising and as a guardian, unde rDuvalier they turned that image into a thug militia. Furthermore Duvalier's association with Baron Samedi was used to further his own position of supernatural power. Both instances should not be condoned against his own people and have left the roles of these loa's permantently altered within the practices. Agree. Co-opted the aspects that fit his ultimate goal....which was CONTROL.....he did it to undermine the authority and power of the church(which was representative of an outside power). Voudou was in the fabric of the country...he just tapped into it. For a modern day equivalent, think of Bush running for his second term...not having much to run on in terms of results and policy victories....started making abortion/gay marriage an issue..and took the "Christian" "conservative" stance....despite being incredibly unpopular...he WON. the tonton macoute, was a bogeyman so to speak in the tradition......not quite a benevolent figure as you're implying.