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Period: to
1600s-1800s
During the slave trade, Africans from different regions with distinct religious practices were forcibly brought to the Americas. These practices included a variety of African traditional religions, which often included beliefs in ancestral spirits, magical powers, and the ability to communicate with the dead. -
Period: to
1700s-1800s
In the United States, enslaved Africans developed a syncretic form of religion that blended African religious practices with Christianity. This religion became known as "Hoodoo" or "Rootwork" and was often used for spiritual and magical purposes. -
Period: to
1800s
African Americans in the South began practicing a religion known as "Voodoo," which had its roots in West and Central African spiritual practices. This religion included the worship of deities known as "loas," who were believed to have the power to heal, protect, and bring good fortune. -
Period: to
1800s-1900s
Voodoo became increasingly popular in New Orleans, where it blended with Catholicism and other religious traditions to create a unique form of African American Voodoo. This form of Voodoo was often associated with the use of charms, spells, and potions for protection and healing. -
Period: to
1930s-1950s
African American spiritual practices, including Voodoo, were suppressed and criminalized by the U.S. government, which saw them as a threat to social order. -
Period: to
1960s-1970s
The African Theological Archministry (ATA) was established on March 1st, 1970. The Civil Rights movement and the rise of the Black Power movement led to a resurgence of interest in African American spiritual traditions, including Voodoo. -
Period: to
1980s-present
African American Voodoo has continued to evolve and adapt to changing cultural and social contexts. It remains an important spiritual tradition for many African Americans and has also gained followers among people of other races and ethnicities.