Voodoo doll
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | '''Sympathetic magic''', also known as '''imitative magic''', is a type of [[Magic (paranormal)|magic]] based on imitation or [[correspondence]]. | + | The term '''Voodoo doll''' is commonly employed to describe an [[effigy]] into which [[pin]]s are inserted. Although it comes in various different forms, such practices are found in the [[magic (paranormal)|magical]] traditions of many cultures across the world. Although the use of the term ''Voodoo'' implies that the practice has links to either the religion of [[Haitian Vodou]] or [[Louisiana Voodoo]], in reality, it does not have a prominent place in either. |
| - | ==Imitation in sympathetic magic== | + | ==History== |
| - | Imitation involves using [[effigies]], [[fetishes]] or [[poppet]]s to affect the environment of people, or occasionally people themselves. [[Voodoo doll]]s are an example of fetishes used in this way. | + | |
| - | ==Correspondence in sympathetic magic== | + | ===In European History=== |
| - | [[Correspondence]] is based on the idea that one can influence something based on its relationship or resemblance to another thing. The belief that consumption of [[walnut]]s can increase intelligence and memory may be based on the nuts' resemblance to brains. | + | |
| - | Many traditional societies believed that an effect on one object can cause an analogous effect on another object, without an apparent causal link between the two objects. For instance, many folktales feature a villain whose "life" exists in another object, and who can only be killed if that other object is destroyed. (Examples including [[Sauron]]'s [[One Ring]] in [[The Lord of the Rings]] trilogy, and the Russian folktale of [[Koschei the Deathless]]. Compare [[Horcrux]] and [[lich]].) In [[Uganda]], a barren woman is thought to cause a barren garden, and her husband can seek a divorce on purely economic grounds (Eliade 385). | + | |
| - | ==Hypotheses about prehistoric sympathetic magic== | + | The form of the voodoo doll as it is most commonly understood is based on a magical practice that historically derived from Europe rather than Africa or the Americas. |
| - | The term is most commonly used in [[archaeology]] in relation to [[Paleolithic]] [[cave painting]]s such as those in [[North Africa]] and at [[Lascaux]] in [[France]]. The theory is one of prehistoric human behavior, and is based on studies of more modern [[hunter-gatherer]] societies. The idea is that the paintings were made by [[Cro-Magnon]] [[Shamanism|shaman]]s. The shamans would retreat into the darkness of the caves, enter into a [[trance]] state and then paint images of their visions, perhaps with some notion of drawing power out of the cave walls themselves. This goes some way towards explaining the remoteness of some of the paintings (which often occur in deep or small caves) and the variety of subject matter (from prey animals to [[predator]]s and human hand-prints). In his book ''Primitive Mythology'', [[Joseph Campbell]] stated that the paintings "...were associated with the magic of the hunt." For him, this sympathetic magic was akin to a ''participation mystique'', where the paintings, drawn in a sanctuary of "timeless principle", were acted upon by rite. | + | |
| - | In 1933, [[Leo Frobenius]], discussing cave paintings in North Africa, pointed out that many of the paintings did not seem to be mere depictions of animals and people. To him, it seemed as if they were acting out a hunt before it began, perhaps as a consecration of the animal to be killed. In this way, the pictures served to secure a successful hunt. While others interpreted the cave images as depictions of hunting accidents or of ceremonies, Frobenius believed it was much more likely that "...what was undertaken [in the paintings] was a consecration of the animal effected not through any real confrontation of man and beast but by a depiction of a concept of the mind." | + | Textual records attest to the fact that certain [[cunning folk in Britain]] made dolls of a witch out of rags and other materials and then pierced them with pins with the intention of inflicting physical harm on the witch and breaking their bewitchment. |
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| + | ===20th-century link with Voodoo=== | ||
| + | The link between this magical practice and Voodoo was established through the presentation of the latter in Western popular culture during the first half of the 20th century. In this, the myth of this magical practice being closely linked to Voodoo and Vodou was promoted as part of the wider negative depictions of blacks and Afro-Caribbean religious practices in the United States. In John Houston Craige's 1933 book ''Black Bagdad: The Arabian Nights Adventures of a Marine Captain in Haiti'', he described a Haitian prisoner sticking pins into an effigy to induce illness. Its use also appeared in film representations of Haitian Vodou such as [[Victor Halperin]]'s 1932 ''[[White Zombie (film)|White Zombie]]'' and [[Jacques Tourneur]]’s 1943 ''[[I Walked with a Zombie]]''. | ||
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| + | In the 1975 film, ''[[Lisztomania (film)|Lisztomania]]'', a voodoo doll is used, resembling [[Franz Liszt]]. In the 1984 film, ''[[Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom]]'', a voodoo doll is used, resembling [[Indiana Jones]]. | ||
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| + | By the early 21st century, the image of the voodoo doll had become particularly pervasive. It had become a novelty item available for purchase, with examples being provided in [[vending machines]] in British shopping centres, and an article on "How to Make a Voodoo Doll" being included on [[WikiHow]]. A voodoo doll had also been included in the 2009 animated [[Disney]] movie, ''[[The Princess and the Frog]]''. | ||
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| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[Clay-body]] | ||
| + | * [[Haitian Vodou#Myths and misconceptions|Myths and misconceptions in Haitian Vodou]] | ||
| + | * [[Poppet]] | ||
| + | * [[Shikigami]] | ||
| + | * [[Totem]] | ||
| + | * [[Ushabti]] | ||
| + | *[[Haunted doll]] | ||
| - | However, as with all [[prehistory]], it is impossible to be certain due to the relative lack of material evidence and the many pitfalls associated with trying to understand the prehistoric mindset with a modern mind. | ||
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The term Voodoo doll is commonly employed to describe an effigy into which pins are inserted. Although it comes in various different forms, such practices are found in the magical traditions of many cultures across the world. Although the use of the term Voodoo implies that the practice has links to either the religion of Haitian Vodou or Louisiana Voodoo, in reality, it does not have a prominent place in either.
Contents |
History
In European History
The form of the voodoo doll as it is most commonly understood is based on a magical practice that historically derived from Europe rather than Africa or the Americas.
Textual records attest to the fact that certain cunning folk in Britain made dolls of a witch out of rags and other materials and then pierced them with pins with the intention of inflicting physical harm on the witch and breaking their bewitchment.
20th-century link with Voodoo
The link between this magical practice and Voodoo was established through the presentation of the latter in Western popular culture during the first half of the 20th century. In this, the myth of this magical practice being closely linked to Voodoo and Vodou was promoted as part of the wider negative depictions of blacks and Afro-Caribbean religious practices in the United States. In John Houston Craige's 1933 book Black Bagdad: The Arabian Nights Adventures of a Marine Captain in Haiti, he described a Haitian prisoner sticking pins into an effigy to induce illness. Its use also appeared in film representations of Haitian Vodou such as Victor Halperin's 1932 White Zombie and Jacques Tourneur’s 1943 I Walked with a Zombie.
In the 1975 film, Lisztomania, a voodoo doll is used, resembling Franz Liszt. In the 1984 film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, a voodoo doll is used, resembling Indiana Jones.
By the early 21st century, the image of the voodoo doll had become particularly pervasive. It had become a novelty item available for purchase, with examples being provided in vending machines in British shopping centres, and an article on "How to Make a Voodoo Doll" being included on WikiHow. A voodoo doll had also been included in the 2009 animated Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog.
See also
