Tell me where you’re hiding your voodoo doll...

      At one point in our life we all have wished to have a voodoo doll of our own. The thought of being able to control the will of another person can be enticing. Especially when you want revenge. Though voodoo dolls aren’t all they seem to be. In fact a voodoo doll isn’t meant to be used harmfully at all! 

      Voodoo dolls were created by slaves in Hati and Louisiana. They are small dolls, usually soft, that represent someone. They are created by two sticks tied together acting as body and arms. A bright triangular cloth placed on top along with a piece of hair or the name of the person would be on the doll. The head is usually made out of black cloth or wood with the extent of the detail varying; but always having an eyes, nose, and mouth. 

      Voodoo dolls were not used to harm others, though. Voodoo dolls were used for healing, and even for communicating with the dead. The doll can be used to invoke deities (loa’s) of the voodoo religion. They are used to attract them and gain influence for a person or place. In doing so they would offer healing or guidance. When walking through a cemetery you can also come across one of the dolls on a tree. When hung in cemeteries it is thought they open, and maintain lines of communication with the recently departed. However, when tacked to a tree upside down it is intended to make the creator stop caring for someone bad for them. 

      Voodoo dolls like the religion of voodoo are not at all what everyone believes them to be. There is popular belief that voodoo has strong connections with the occult, and dark magic. However, this is not the case. Unfortunately, no, you cannot use voodoo dolls to control or harm others. But is that truly a bad thing? I mean we do have free will for a reason. At the end of the day karma ensures that justice is served. 

WORKS CITED.

What Is the Doll?, www.brown.edu/Departments/Joukowsky_Institute/courses/13things/7393.html.

Beyer, Catherine. “What Are Voodoo Dolls and Are They Real?” Learn Religions, www.learnreligions.com/are-voodoo-dolls-real-95807.