Mama Lola Book Report

The book Mama Lola by Karen Brown touches on the many stereotypes and negativities associated with the Haitian religion Vodou; however, without restriction the book paints a vivid picture of the deeply rooted cultural aspects behind the magic of Vodou by re-telling the amazing stories of Alourdes and her family. While the religion is often made out to be evil - and occasionally referred to as the Devil 's work - Mama Lola breaks all preconceived notions. Rather than simply explaining Vodou and how it works, Brown goes into depth, showing how Vodou affects and shapes the lives of its many believers.
The book allows its readers to get a deeper understanding that Vodou is not only a religion, but it is a way of life. Much like any other religion, …show more content…
Christianity and Vodou can be deemed as similar is many ways (However, this is a very unpopular opinion and my highly religious family will more than likely be upset if they ever heard me say this statement). Both religions hold many things in common such as, serving the spirits or God, following the rules of the religion, being a horse for the lwa or being filled with the Holy Ghost, and dreams to a certain extent. Within the book, Alourdes - as well as others - often became possessed by the lwa, dressing up, acting, and saying the things of the lwa. Much like being possessed by a lwa, in Christianity a believer can become filled with the spirit of God or the Holy Ghost. While there are distinct differences such as the fact that Christians don 't dress up or say the things of the spirit - in my first hand experiences at least - they do perform in ways they usually may not. When filled with the Holy Ghost believers sometimes dance, speak in tongues or often times just gives praises to God. While I have not personally experienced being filled with the Holy Ghost, it is often described as the spirit of God coming over the person, which to my understanding is the same feeling Vodou believers have when a lwa is riding