Voodoo Flags from Haiti

Haitian Vodou (pronounced /ˈvoʊduː/ or /ˈvuːduː/, French: [vodu]; also written as Vodun /ˈvoʊduːn/, or Vodoun, and frequently rendered in English as Voodoo) is a syncretic religion that originates in the Caribbean country of Haiti. It is based upon a merging of the beliefs and practices of West African peoples (mainly the Fon and Ewe; see West African Vodun), with Arawakian religious beliefs, and Roman Catholic Christianity. Vodou was created by African slaves who were brought to Haiti in the 16th century and still followed their traditional African beliefs, but were forced to convert to the religion of their slavers. Practitioners are commonly described as Vodouisants.