Little Haiti: Voodoo & Culture

Haitian Relgion Reflected in the Art of Little Haiti

Apr 21, 2009 Dindy Yokel

Miami's most vibrant element today is pocket-sized communities that are fully articulated versions of cultures and countries. One area not yet fully discovered or apprec

VOODOO AS RELIGION

Miami resident Marc Joseph, a psychotherapist, observes two religions – Catholicism and Traditional Voodoo. Together they are the “yin and yang” of a complete spirituality. According to Joseph, “Voodoo is a beautiful religious tradition with two central elements, harmony with nature and respect for others.”

Gallery owner, Alicia Restrepo speaks of the artists in Little Haiti: Edouard Duval-Carrié; Jude Papaloko and author Edwidge Danticat. “It’s a parallel country buried inside our civilization,” says Restrepo “I can’t imagine another modern country that could have an authentic village – not a theme park but a real small planet – inside its borders.”

LITTLE HAITI ARTISTS ENCLAVE

Edwidge Danticat found a “real” neighborhood in Little Haiti.” “My neighbors have lived here a long time and there’s a “sense of true community,” says Danticat who sees this as “spiritual survival.” Her memoirs, Breath, Eyes, Memory and Brother, I’m Dying are lyrical works meant to educate people about Haiti and Haitians; “when people read my books I hope they want to know more.”

Jude Papaloko’s quick smile and warm spirit brighten the Jakmel studio. When not creating art, he can be found teaching drums; running his non-profit organization or playing with his band Loray Mistik. Born in Port-au-Prince he moved to Miami in 1986. At the age of 13 he found himself in an inexplicable trance state and began painting what he saw – a surreal vision celebrating the spirits of Traditional Haitian religion.

Edouard Duval Carrié is the most renowned Haitian artist today. He moved in Miami in 1992 after living in Paris and New York. His studio is housed in the same building as the Haitian Cultural Alliance.

“Haitian Traditional Religion and its history reverberate in my work.” Haiti, accordingly to Duval-Carrié was the “repository of so many African tribes that couldn’t communicate,” yielding a new language (Creole) and religion based on ancient traditions. His art tells the “sad” story of the slave trade in a contemporary context.

Duval-Carrié states that Voodoo is “about maintaining dignity under the worst conditions and the triumph of the human spirit.” He jokes that all Haitians are “99% Catholic and 99% Voodoo.” He recommends Karen McCarthy Brown’s story of Mama Lola: A Voodoo Priestess as the best work to peek inside the Haitian experience.

VOODOO CEREMONY

Ingrid Llera is known as the authentic “serviteur” or priestess/healer in Miami. She arrived via boat to Little Haiti at the age of 16 in 1980. The crossing lasted an agonizing 11 days. Ingrid had no doubt that she was going to make it and “needed the journey to obtain the wisdom and respect for life,” that she passes on to her three children and those who seek her counsel.

Amanda, one of Ingrid’s children, “has the calling” and will follow in Ingrid’s and her grandmother’s footsteps as serviteur. Her schoolmates ask her about Voodoo culture – some are afraid some ask if it’s witchcraft. She explains that it is a religion and a culture and she is very proud to be part of the next generation.

Marlene Bastien, Executive Director of Haitian Women in Miami, works hard to help new arrivals bridge the gap between cultures. She oversees micro loans and runs domestic violence and education programs. As with most residents of Little Haiti, Edwidge Danticat carries both Haiti and the United States within her heart and soul, an intriguing dichotomy of a people, a place and a culture.

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Voodoo Ceremony