The topic I am interested in is Voodoo . For my topic I have done much research and interviewed several people.  I have interviewed five people with very different backgrounds with the factor that they are all Haitian.. The range in age of the people  is between 18 and 40. Although those interviewees are Haitians, they have expressed mixed feeling and contradiction opinions about voodoo. Their differences have a lot to do with their religions.  Some people think it is the worshipping of devils whereas other argue that voodoo is a cultural and sacred  celebration of African ancestors.  So from the interview of the five people one can learn more and see first hand the  mixed feelings about this controversial topic.

Voodoo is one of the oldest religions which have been around in Africa since the beginning of human civilizations. However it was born in Haiti during the European colonization of Hispaniola. The slaves practiced voodoo in secret, and  it was a way for them to communicate with each other. Music and dance are the main elements to voodoo ceremonies. Voodoo is  practice around the world.

My first interviewee was Mr. x. He is 40 years old. He has a college level education.  

Hello sir! I really appreciate that you giving some of your precious time for my short interview. I want you to answer the following question according to your feeling and experience. So what is your religion?

Mr.: I  am not really a member of any church. I believe in God, but I don't go to church.

Do you know about a religion called voodoo?

Mr. x: I do. It is a religion like any other ones because it has a priest which is called "houngan". Worshippers gather in a place "peristyle". They pray and help each other with life difficulties.

Do you believe in voodoo?

Mr. X: Not really. It exist; but, I don't practice it.

Do you know anyone who practices voodoo?

Mr. x: My father has been raised in voodoo. He still practice voodoo

How often does he go to the Peristyle?

Mr. x: My father goes many times to the assembly. But, he has a great public celebration every year.

Do you know what is going in those celebration?. 

Mr.: Family, friends and other members get together. They sing and dance. Some people are  possessed by a loa which is a spirit. Those loas have different names: Ogu, Ezuli, Tijean Danto and so on. When they get into the "horse"s (aka as another person) mind  that person takes on a different personality. People with loa could tell what had happened and predict what will happen. They cure people who are sick.

Can you tell me more?

Mr. x:  I can't tell you more because I don't live with my father. I live with my mother. She doesn't share my father faith in voodoo.  That is why she tries to keep me away from his religion.

My second interviewee  has been Mrs. A. She is 25 years old. She is in college.

Hello Mrs. A   How long you been in NY?

Mrs. A: I been in NY for six year 

What is your religion?

Mrs. A: Baptist

Do you think voodoo is religion, why or why not?

Mrs.  A: I don't think voodoo is a religion. It's devil. Because they used it to do bad things.

How do you feel about voodoo ?

Mrs. A  I don't know because I don't believe in it

My third interviewee has been Miss. B who is 30 years old . She have a high school level education.

What is your religion?

Miss B: Catholic

 Do you think voodoo is a religion?

Miss B:   No

How do you feel about it?

Miss B: I don't like  voodoo because I was raised in church.

Has voodoo influenced your life in either a positive or negative way?

Miss. B: yes it has influenced me in a negative way. My brother was affected by it. 

Is that why you feel that way about voodoo?

Miss. B: Not really because I always think it was bad and it just prove that to me.

My fourth interviewee has been Mr. C. He is 18 years old a senior in high school.

What is your religion?

Mr. C  Seven day Adventist

When you think of voodoo what come to mind?

Mr. C : I don't know

Do you believe in it ?

Mr. C . No I was born in church and I don't know anything about it.

My fifth interviewee has been Mrs. D She is 29 years old. She has a college level.

What is your religion?

Mrs. D: My religion is Catholic

Do you know about a religion called voodoo?

Mrs. D: Yes I do, it's our culture..

Do you believe in voodoo?

Mrs. D:. Yes I believe in it but I don't practice it.

Some that practice Do you practice it or know or know anyone that do ?

Mrs. D : I don't Practice it, but I have friends that do it and they don't talk about..

Why you think people don't like talk about voodoo?

Mrs. D: People do it in secret because they think it's bad. 

What I learned from my interview is that people did not feel comfortable to talk  about voodoo. Based on my research and interview for some people, voodoo is a religion like any other religion. So, my interviewees, do not think is a religion because they go to church and does not think voodoo should be exist. Everyone have their own opinion and believe in what they want. I really appreciate  all the people that I interview because they take their time to talk about this controversial topic. Another thing that I learned from Voodoo is that it is thought to be both religious and cultural , and at times it is hard to separate.  There is such a great association of Voodoo with the Devil that many Christians are frighten to even speak about it.