Dominican Vudú, or Dominican Voodoo, popularly known as Las 21 Divisiones (The 21 Divisions), is a heavily Catholicized syncretic religion of African-Caribbean origin which developed in the erstwhile Spanish colony of Santo Domingo on the island of Hispaniola.
| Dominican Vudú | |
|---|---|
| Type | Syncretic |
| Classification | Voodoo |
| Orientation | Folk Catholicism |
| Region | Dominican Republic and Dominican diaspora |
| Origin | Colonial Hispaniola |
Dominican Vudú is practiced through a "Tcha-Tcha" (Maraca—which means "rattle") lineage.[2] In Haiti, Voodoo has come about and become more popular through another lineage known as the "Asson". However, before the "Asson", the "Tcha-Tcha" lineage was the prominent lineage in Haiti. Thus the "Tcha-Tcha" lineage is one of the oldest lineages within the Voodoo tradition all over the island.[2]
Dominican Vudú practitioners are often called Caballos ('Horses'), Brujos ('Witch doctors'), or Servidores ('Servants'), but they are also known as Papa Bokos and Papa Loa (priest); and Mama Mambos and Mama Loa (priestess). One who has obtained this title has gone through the last and highest level of initiation which can take anywhere between three and nine days and nights as well as have spent a time working for the community.[2]