Who do you voodoo?

In a couple hours I’ll be going to the annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The idea of the festival is to highlight various cultures. Last year they featured Scotland, Mali, and the
Appalachian mountain region. This year they are featuring the Mid-Atlantic states, Latino music, and Haiti. The blurb in the newspaper advertising the festival started out by mentioning that there is to be a Voodoo Temple.

I just thought it was interesting that Haitian culture is characterized - no, summed up - by voodoo. I understand that voodoo is Haiti’s most widely known cultural aspect, and indeed it makes sense to play it as a tourist attraction/cultural export to make money. However, I’m sure that at least some Haitians wish to be known as more than “the-people-who-make-other-people-zombies”. I’m sure the Caribbean nation can boost vibrant music, unique food, and rich art. I must confess, whenever Haitian immigrant workers slipped into Creole at Stew Leonard’s while trying to talk to me, I would think, “I’m sorry, I don’t understand your voodoo language!”

As I said, voodoo probably serves as something as a cash crop for the island; I bet someone is making a killing in voodoo doll exports. I’m sure there is more than that. “Come for the voodoo, stay for the other stuff” should be the country’s motto. If you did the research you’d likely learn the other aspects of the culture (which I intend to today). Voodoo simply serves as the hook. Egypt’s draw is a culture that was conquered two
millennia ago. What does Canada have besides hockey and maple syrup? It really isn’t unusual for a country’s culture to be summed up by just a few icons. While traveling in Belgium, I saw a store named “Americana” or something like it. It was a Belgian store that was advertising “American” products. I thought, “Oh good, this is a chance to see how another country views our culture! It will let me know what constitutes an ‘American’ product in their eye!” All the store sold was blue jeans and Pringles.

Haiti is getting a lot of negative press, even outside of the voodoo thing. With the uprisings against the leadership that had taken place recently, it was (and is) tough times for the country. I met a Haitian student while volunteering at CI last night, and as he was talking about all that was happening the country there was a definite sadness to his voice.

Haiti needs a comeback. My advice would be to jump on the bandwagon of most of the rest of the islands and start reeling in the spring-breakers!