The devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti left thousands of people homeless and struggling to find shelter and food. Haitians have shown resilience and strength amidst destitution of unimaginable proportions. But one aspect of their lives has come under heavy criticism – their belief in Voodoo. An estimated 60 million people practice Voodoo worldwide. In Haiti, with a population of 11 million people, there is a saying that 70% of the people are Catholic, 30% Protestant, and 100% Voodoo. Voodoo involves the practice of invoking spirits to help people with life in the present world. A bull sacrifice is an expensive ritual that a Voodoo priest might get the honor of performing once a year. In the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake, during the cholera epidemic which was found to be brought to Haiti by UN peacekeepers, more than 40 Voodoo priests were lynched as they were blamed for bringing the disease upon the masses.
Scott Mc Kiernan, Founder & CEO, ZUMA Press
ZUMAland.com 