Vodou has often served as a scapegoat for Haiti’s problems; from political upheavals to natural disasters. This tradition of scapegoating stretches back to the nation’s founding and forms part of a contest over the legitimacy of the religion; both beyond and within Haiti’s borders. The Spirits and the Law examines that vexed history; asking why; from 1835 to 1987; Haiti banned many popular ritual practices.To find out; Kate Ramsey begins with the Haitian Revolution and its aftermath. Fearful of an independent black nation inspiring similar revolts; the United States; France; and the rest of Europe ostracized Haiti. Successive Haitian governments; seeking to counter the image of Haiti as primitive as well as contain popular organization and leadership; outlawed “spells†and; later; “superstitious practices.†While not often strictly enforced; these laws were at times the basis for attacks on Vodou by the Haitian state; the Catholic Church; and occupying U.S. forces. Beyond such offensives; Ramsey argues that in prohibiting practices considered essential for maintaining relations with the spirits; anti-Vodou laws reinforced the political marginalization; social stigmatization; and economic exploitation of the Haitian majority. At the same time; she examines the ways communities across Haiti evaded; subverted; redirected; and shaped enforcement of the laws. Analyzing the long genealogy of anti-Vodou rhetoric; Ramsey thoroughly dissects claims that the religion has impeded Haiti’s development.
#1086233 in Books Gordon Maccreagh 2001-03-01 2001-03-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x 1.50 x 5.25l; .88 #File Name: 0226500187335 pagesWhite Waters and Black
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Well worth readingBy jjcI've read numerous books on travel and exploration and this is one of the best. This is an account of the Mulford Expedition of 1921. The goal of the expedition was to collect biological specimens in the Basin. They were going to start in Boliva; cross the Andes; and then spend a year collecting specimens before exploring a new route back over the Andes.The purpose of the book; written by Gordon MacCreagh; the anthropologist on the expedition; is to give the reader a true understanding of what such expeditions entailed. MacCreagh never uses the real names of the expedition members; they are simply known as their titles. There is the Distinguished Director (Henry Rusby); a man of advanced age and paranoia. There is also a Distinguished Botanist; a Statistician; an Entomologist; and a young; idealistic lad they call “Young Americaâ€. The expedition suffers from poor planning and bad tempers. The personalities are truly priceless. The Statistician becomes so cranky that he refuses to talk to anybody except the Anthropologist. The Entomologist is afraid of firearms and wants to give all their rifles; shotguns; and pistols away. The Distinguished Director issues type-written proclamations to his fellow eight travelers; warning them of bandits and admonishing them for bad attitudes. We also learn a great deal about the and what it was like in the 1920s. This is a great piece of travel writing.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. GREAT BOOK ABOUT AN UNREMARKABLE EXPEDITIONBy Denis Benchimol MinevMr MacCreagh has maganed to write an outstanding book based on a rather unsuccessful expedition. It is the tale of an expedition of eight eminent scientist in the ; who were put together not for their ability in the outdoors; but for their scientific knowledge.The author is a helper/manager of the expedition. He manages to describe the expedition from its beginning in the Bolivia highlands out to the plains and to its disintegration. It is quite clear that the scientist were not sure what to expect; and so had not prepared accordingly. Huge volumes of luggage went unused and were a huge burden. Egos and discomfort made the scientist into bickering children and inept explorers. The author masks their names because apparently these were well known figures of their time.There is a bit of scientific content in the book; but clearly the main reason to read it is for the good humor of the author in describing the situations they get themselves in. One learns more about people and how they behave when taken to extremes than one does about the .1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Bungle through the jungleBy William J. Higgins;IIIOver the Andes and through the jungle to ineptness we go. A quite humorous account of science gone jumbled. But not all is lost here.In 1923 eight scientists plus the author venture through the South American mountains and rainforests to make further discoveries in their respective fields of study. Touted as; "The most perfectly equipped expedition that has ever started to explore South America"; it quickly unfolds into a blundering journey with many problems and mishaps.Thanks to MacCreagh's sense of humor and wit we see how every imaginable incident went from bad to worse. One by one these scientists quit the expedition to forsake the author and one other to travel up the remote Uaupes and Tiquie Rivers meeting face to face with hostile natives. What transpires is a remarkable short term study into the culture of these indigenous peoples.Entertaining read.
