The TRUTH about Villa Mella
Thanks everyone for your imput.
Villa Mella is NOT the home of VOODOO.That is actually Haiti.Like anyone who flees from a destroyed homeland(Like many of the so-called FOUNDING FATHERS i.e. Pilgrims) of the United States,the Haitians seek a better place.The Brotherhood of Espiritu Santo,is what exists in Villa Mella.As a matter of fact, it has been distinguished by U.N.E.S.C.O of the United Nations as a world heritage site.What they "DO" practice is an African retentionthat is a series of burials celebrations to "send the spirit on home" through the playing of ATABALES or PALOS or drums that resemble those used by the Bakonga ethnic groups of Central Africa.It "IS" a known fact that MANY CONGO-region slaves came to Santo Domingo and were Cimarrones(escaped slaves).They WILL NOT admit to many outsiders that their practice has deep African roots for the permeance of ANTI-HAITIAN attitudes or the MISGUIDED thought that anything of "AFRICAN" retention is VOODOO or of a diabolical nature.This practice is NOT Voodoo, like neither the practice by some African-Americans in Mississippi and Alabama that hang colorful plates on the trees when a dead relative dies,or leaving food on a place by the gravesite to ensure the spirit of the deceased person travels to the afterworld.So you will know,the Mexicans have "El dia de los Muertos" in which they leave food on plates on the gravesite,so it's NOT JUST A "BLACK" or "AFRICAN" thing, this appears in MANY world-cultures.Anyone doubting what I've said, I suggest maybe they will see Dr. Juan Rodriguez at the Museo del Hobre Dominicano en Santo Domingo, and tell him,"El Babalawo" sent you.