The Role of Black Magic

Secret Societies
Evil Spirits
Other Elements of Black Magic

Secret Societies

Secret societies use the name of vodoun to cloak their malevolent activities, but are not really considered to be vodoun by legitimate practitioners of the religion. Instead, their acts cause them to be ostracized by vodoun sociétés. Most vodoun secret societies are of the bizango type, but there are also secret societies called Cochon Gris. Members of secret societies cloak themselves in red or white to hide their identities. They are known for cannibalism and for making human sacrifices, a practice that is firmly rejected by legitimate vodoun practitioners. Sometimes secret-society members are possessed or mounted by totem animal protectors, the baka.

Evil Spirits

Vodoun beliefs account for evil spirits who roam at night. They possess members of the bizango, often taking the form of animals. These are called baka. One common form of baka is the loup garou, or werewolf. Baka also appear as leopardmen, serpentmen, elephantmen, pythonmen, owlmen, crocodilemen or lionmen. They can also transform magically into birds of prey that fly invisibly through the air, leaving only a luminous trail and the odor of sulfur to mark where they have been. These birds of prey pounce on those they wish to capture and carry them off.

Another type of evil force is a "bogeyman" who creates vile acts. In vodoun, these are called tonton macoutes, after Duvalier's secret police.

Other Elements of Black Magic

Bokors are houngans who perform black magic and are called "those who serve the loa with both hands." Their black-magic activities include the practice of creating zombis, as well as calling the dead to inflict harm upon others. They can also create talismans called ouangas that house bakas and are used for evil purposes.

Certain Petro loa are partners in black magic, and will perform harmful services in exchange for a great sacrifice of some sort. This pact between the loa and a person involving malevolent magic is called an angajan.