a810: Re: a806: haiti and satan (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Gage Averill <gage.averill@nyu.edu>

As I understand it, the legend about the pact with Satan is a Protestant
interpretation of the Bwa Kayiman ceremony, and thus the year should be
1791 not 1804.  The sacrifice of a pig to the Petwo lwa was seen as
evidence of this pact (given their interpretation of lwa/zany = lesser
demons, spirit possession = demonic possession, etc.).   Many Protestant
preachers talk of a malediksyon or curse on Haiti as a result.

My student Melvin Butler, who works with the Pentacostal church in Haiti,
runs into this story often.
Gage


Gage Averill, Chair
Department of Music
New York University
24 Waverly Pl., Rm. 268
New York, NY 10003-6789
(212) 998-8302 (bus)
(212) 995-4147 (fax)
e-mail: gage.averill@nyu.edu


	NYU Music Department: http://www.nyu.edu/gsas/dept/music/