This is a totally useless yet fun fact I learnt today.
If you are anything like me then chances are your knowledge of voodoo dolls comes exclusively from Hollywood films and such. Dolls used to cause pain, harm and even death from a distance to a person etc etc.
In reality though, Voodoo dolls have nothing to do with the actual Voodoo religion, as practiced in Haiti, Louisiana, or West Africa.
Although in some cases dolls are used in said religion as symbolic representations, they are typically used for healing, protection, and good luck. No black magic, no needles and no other harmful purpose. These dolls are sometimes called "pwen".
Although the idea of similar dolls exists in European and Africam witchcraft, Voodoo dolls are pretty much a Hollywood invention.
"It blows my mind that people still believe [Voodoo dolls are relevant to Voodoo religion]. Hollywood really did us a number. We do not stab pins in dolls to hurt people; we don't take your hair and make a doll, and worship the devil with it, and ask the devil to give us black magic to get our revenge on you. It is not done, it won't be done, and it never will exist for us."
Wikipedia has a great entry on the topic if you wish to read more. But there's not really more to add on the subject.
As a sidenote, all this voodoo talk reminded me of an amazing animated short film I had watched many many years ago... After doing a quick search it turns out it's over 15 years since it was released!
Time really flies, enjoy
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