Difference Between Hoodoo and Voodoo

Hoodoo vs. Voodoo

“Hoodoo” and “voodoo” may sound the same, but the terms are related opposites.

Both hoodoo and voodoo are widely practiced and share similar elements and roots in Africa. Both are also products of mixed beliefs that include pagan traditions, ancient worship, and elements of European religions.
However, the main difference between hoodoo and voodoo is that the latter is actually an existing religion practiced by people, while the former is considered folk magic.

Voodoo, as a religion, is an organized institution with established practices like religious representatives or leaders, teachings, and religious services or rituals. Hoodoo, as folk magic, lacks this foundation and organization.

Voodoo invokes the power of the loas in the African gods and deities; however, hoodoo practitioners invoke the loas by using Catholic saints. Voodoo is practiced by non-Roman Catholics, while hoodoo’s practitioners are often Roman Catholics who use both the African concept of gods and the religious saints of Catholicism. Hoodoo practitioners are also followers of spiritualism. The specific term ascribed to a voodoo practitioner is a Vodouisant, while hoodoo practitioners are often referred to as root doctors or healers.

A hoodoo practitioner often sees hoodoo as a sort of personal power that can help them or other people through their knowledge of herbs, minerals, animal parts, bodily fluids, and possessions. The magic can be used based on one’s inclinations, desires, interests, and habits. Hoodoo and its practitioners empower themselves by accessing the gods and other supernatural forces in order to bring improvement or decline to a person’ life. With this variety of knowledge and power, a practitioner can help a person in all aspects of life, including luck, love, evil, and restraining enemies.

Voodoo is the “original religion”, while hoodoo is the result of religious persecution and suppression. Hoodoo developed by adopting and blending some foreign beliefs and religion to hide its African origins, which were considered pagan and unacceptable in the society largely dominated by Christians.

Aside from being a religion, voodoo is also a culture and a way of life. Hoodoo often specializes only in magic powers and the benefits that the magic can bring. Hoodoo can also be practiced as a hobby, an economic income, or a charity act.

There is also a difference in the places of influence of both voodoo and hoodoo. Voodoo is popular and thrives in former French colonies like Mississippi and Louisiana, while hoodoo is more poplar in the Southern part of America. Additionally, hoodoo was brought to the New World by African slaves, while voodoo arrived through Haiti, a former French colony.

Voodoo, though “purer” and more ancient, is often compared to hoodoo. Voodoo encompasses a variety of fields in society, such as culture, philosophy, art and music, heritage, language, medicine, justice, spirituality, and power. Hoodoo, on the other hand, is just a fraction of all this, and is also more focused on the power and spiritual side than anything else.

Summary:

1.Voodoo is a religion, while hoodoo is traditional folk magic.
2.As an established religion, voodoo has a system, which hoodoo lacks.
3.Followers of voodoo are not affiliated with other religions, but hoodoo is practiced by Roman Catholics.
4.Voodoo came indirectly by way of Haiti, whereas hoodoo came directly from Africa.
5.Voodoo can be considered the “main belief”, while hoodoo is a denomination of voodoo.
6.A voodoo practitioner can also be referred to as Vodouisants. Hoodoo practitioners, on the other hand, are called root doctors and healers.

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