Diaspora

Between 1710 and 1810 more than one million slaves from West and Central Africa were shipped on British, French, Spanish, Dutch and Portugese ships to the Americas. Slavery was practiced until the end of the 19th century in this region. It became one of the greatest intercontinental migration waves in world history. Slaves were distributed to Brazil, Haiti, Cuba and the United States. In  memory of their homeland the slaves brought their religions  to their new home, and continued to practice it hidden behind the catholic saints.

The Vodou Healer

Eeryone comes, when the voodoo priest does his offerings to the spirits. Some need protection, some need healing, and others just need advice. Papa Joe is there for everyone; rich, poor,lawyers, criminals, teachers, whites, latinos and Afro-Americans. He is a father figure and a patriarch. He is PAPA JOE, the VODOU HEALER. And there are many, who need his help:

There is Sean who was in much trouble with the law, and who started a new life after being initiated to Baron Samedi. Denise who  felt she needed to be protected, and married the spirit Simbi Macaya. Boombox a motorcycle gang member who spent a good part of his life in prison, but got on the right path with Papa Joe’s help. The list is endless,each person with their own problem…

VODOU HEALER is a film about Papa Joe, a Afro-American voodoo priest from the suburbs of Raleigh, North Carolina. Papa Joe grew up in rural North Carolina not far from the South Carolina border. His father believed in the power of hoodoo (root magic) while his mother is a pentecostal christian. Papa Joe’s godfather was a “root doctor”, a spiritual worker, who worked the “roots” for conjuring, a practice passed on from the Congo slaves of Africa .

As a young man Papa Joe moved to New York and got a job as a researcher on Wall Street. He visited pentecostal ” born again” churches in Harlem. Here he found his true calling and was ordained as a minister. He preached in different churches in Queens and throughtout New York City. One day he met a Haitian in the Bronx who introduced him to voodoo, and this was a turning point in his life.

He moved back to North Carolina and worked in different botanicas. In his house he set up a temple and did readings and consultations using his knowledge that he had about hoodoo. He decided to go to Haiti and be initiated into the voodoo religion. He had a Haitian godfather who taught him the secrets of the voodoo ceremonies, and after several years he was initiated as priest into the secrets of this African religion.

He decided to move to Raleigh and start his own temple , and build up a community of followers. People came to him with problems that they could not solve. His clients came from all walks of life, blacks, whites, Mexicans, pensioners, doctors, criminals, unemployed, rich, poor, handicapped and homeless. Papa Joe helped all who needed help. By word of mouth he became very well known,and today has clients come from all over the States,and even from outside the States. Papa Joe helps all whether rich or poor. In the meantime his “Planet of the Gods” has expanded and is still growing. Today he has over 30 shrines for his African gods.

Note: Lack of space limits us in exhibiting this theme properly. In the new museum we will have ample space for this exhibit. Together with various supporters we are working on  a new location for the museum.

Further topics

Secret societies

In the African tradition the dead are honored. They live on.

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Healing

Streetpharmacy from Ghana.

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Witchcraft and Magic

A Holli warrior with his protection talisman.

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Death

The dead are honored in the African tradition. They live on.

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Slavery

Heavy chains, cast iron neck rings, hand and foot cuffs, branding irons and whips - the terrifying tools of the slavers.

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Kamerun

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