Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

The Walking Dead | Learn All About Voodoo

African Voodoo Zombies and the Walking Dead

Better known as Vodun, Voodoo probably is not what you think it is since African Voodoo is not accurately portrayed in movies, on TV or in books with the walking dead or zombies raining down destruction. African Voodoo is a nature based community centered religion.

The walking dead? Zombies? Animal sacrifice? What do you really know about Voodoo?
Zombies do not have to be dead. 

Benin is the center of voodoo worship in West Africa.

The walking dead? Zombies?  Animal sacrifice? What do you really know about Voodoo? 

What are Voodoo Zombies or the Walking Dead?

A Voodoo worshipper dances at the Temple of Pythons during the annual Voodoo Festival in Ouidah

Zombies do not have to be dead. In African and Caribbean Voodoo cultures, zombies are more mindless servants than the walking dead. Zombies are people who do the mindless bidding of a person and are seemingly possessed by them. Zombies represent a slave to master relationship. However, the concept of the undead zombie has existed through time and across cultures, they reveal who fundamentally we fear we are, and they warn us about the collective choices we are making.

  Humans have historically expressed their social anxieties through references to the dead. Humans focus on zombies because they represent the metaphysical struggle many humans have with the meaning of their own existence and the fear of death. Soulless stares and staggering walks are the typical zombie characteristics but can also explain the condition of the living. Zombies do not have to be dead.

  What is Voodoo in African Religious Culture? Voodoo religion is often practiced alongside Christianity and Islam in West Africa. Voodoo better known as vodun probably is not what you think it is Voodoo is not accurately portrayed in movies, on TV or in books. Voodoo is not devil worship; people who practice Voodoo are not evil spell casting witch doctors.

  Voodoo is not a practice intended to hurt or control others and makes them into zombies; Voodoo is not dark or brutal. Not everyone who practices Voodoo does it in exactly the same way or agrees on exactly the same things.

  Voodoo has no written word; it is a nature based community centered religion that supports and empowers. Voodoo is a religion originating in Africa and is practiced around the world by millions of voodoo practitioners or Voodooists.

 

Dah Dangbénon's python voodoo temple

Voodoo is practiced differently in different parts of the world, and differs from village to village. Almost all Voodooists believe that there is a visible and an invisible world, and that these worlds are intertwined.

  Death is a transition to the invisible world, so our predecessors are still with us in spirit. Just as there are differences within other faiths, there is great variation within Voodoo beliefs and practices.

  Dangbénon's python voodoo temple an African voodoo priest states "Voodoo is not about using magic spells to curse your enemies," said Dangbénon, whose clan for generations oversee this temple dedicated to pythons. "If you choose to manipulate nature to harm your neighbor, it's not voodoo that harms your neighbor, it is you."

  Benin Voodoo festival, about half the African country of Benin are followers of voodoo. Voodoo religion has tainted voodoo to the point where even the word makes you think of wickedness. Voodoo is as much a part of African heritage as Buddhism is to Asia.

Benin Voodoo fest

Did you know? In the 1990's, Benin's government overturned a decades long ban and recognized voodoo as a celebrated African cultural tradition promoting a national voodoo day, which is celebrated on January 10. 


Together we build awareness that boost harmony, education, and success, below are more links to articles you will find thought provoking.

  1. Historical African Country Name
  2. Top 20 Largest Countries in Africa
  3. How many countries does Africa have?
  4. Roots of Africanized Christianity Spiritual Songs
  5. Paying Money To Tour Slums in Africa
  6. Awesome Kenyan Woman
  7. Land is Not For Women in Sierra Leone

  8. African Kente Cloth Facts
  9. Accra the Ghanaian Capital Ultimate Mall Experience


Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

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Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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Be better than average and support African history and culture. Since 2008 Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet highlight Africa through her food and culture. Contact us culture1africangourmet@gmail.com

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