juss1bigblackaf:

cyrusscarecrow:

blackglorious:

ancestralvoices:

The concept of sticking pins in a doll used to inflict pain on others is not traditional in the practice of Haitian Vodun. Dolls/figurines have been used as symbolic icons on shrines or in rituals to represent the Loa/Lwa (Divine forces of nature). 

Voodoo dolls are now commonly found in New Orleans, Louisiana; this is due to the mix of spiritual practices including Vodun, Hoodoo and European magical practices.

Some Western African practices use figures with and nails and pins in them they are known as nkisi. However instead of being used to inflict pain they are essentially a container of spiritual forces that are used for healing purposes. 

The concept of revenge dolls can be traced back to medieval European folk magic with use of poppets, effigies of specific people, which were used to place curses. The poppets however were also used for positive purposes such as healing and bringing good luck.

NOTE INCLUDING VISUALS
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ancestral-voices-esoteric-african-knowledge/did-you-know/433913709971094?ref=notif&notif_t=like

I love this!

[Caption: a PSA that says, “Did You Know? / That the Voodoo Doll is an invention by the media and does not exist within traditional Haitian Vodun. / Ancestral Voices Esoteric African Knowledge 2012"]

I’ve also read that white people saw the dolls used on graves as ways to help communicate with the afterlife and completely misinterpreted it (like they always do) and came up with that stereotype as well