Sunday, October 21, 2012

Back to Basics

Although modern zombies have more in common with the Medieval "reverent," the modern interest in zombies originally derived from voodoo. So, I thought this article on a voodoo "congregation" in New York was interesting:
Photographer Shannon Taggart's lifelong fascination with the mysterious Haitian religion of voodoo has taken her to a basement apartment in Brooklyn, where she came face to face with people being possessed by mysterious spirits.

What resulted from Taggart's experience inside the Flatbush temple run by female priest known as Mambo Rose Marie Pierre is a series of captivating photos called Basement Voodoo, which show the members of her small congregation being taken over by the Loa - powerful spirits that mediate between humans and the voodoo deity, Bondye.

Communicating with the Loa requires elaborate preparations specific to each spirit. While some of the Loa are harmless, others are considered wicked or belligerent.

In order to call on any given spirit, a voodoo practitioner has to draw a symbol associated with that particular Loa in cornmeal on the floor, Time LightBox reported.

What follows next is a series of ritual dances and songs performed to summon the Loa. When the spirit finally possesses the worshiper, the scene turns wild and frenzied. It is commonplace to see people thrashing on the floor, screaming or running around the room in confusion.

Other congregants assist the possessed during the intensely physical experience and stand at the ready in case the worshiper collapses.

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