Research 2:
Putting A Spotlight on Haitian Vodou’s Social Changes
BACKGROUND
Haitian Vodou is derived from African and New World cultures. This study aimed to identify the foundations of Haitian Vodou's economy. It also explored the ways in which Haiti's social changes are affecting the religion.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
What is the structure of Haitian Vodou's economy?
ROLE
I serve as this project's Lead Researcher.
TEAM COMPOSITION
I worked with five people on this project: a driver, a researcher, three research assistants (Mahalia, Harvelt, and Milo) who helped me with the focus groups, and myself.
PROJECT TIMEFRAME
The project was conducted during the summers of 2015, 2016, and 2017.
RESEARCH PROCESS & METHODS
This section describes the process of understanding Haitian Vodou's economy. I wanted to better understand Haitian Vodou's lived experiences, the perceptions of non-devotees toward them, and how these factors themselves impact or shape the economy of this religion.
I divided my participants into devotees of Haitian Vodou and non-devotees of Haitian Vodou. Using different approaches for each group, I aimed to understand Haitian Vodou devotees' needs and financial pain points.
STEP 1
Discover
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I reviewed the literature on the topic which helped me develop questions to get a better sense of Haitian Vodou's experiences, which can be accessed here, and the best methods (ethnographic research) that can help me answer them.
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I created research protocols and objectives.
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I submitted an application to obtain approval from the University of Florida Institutional Review Board (IRB).
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I traveled to Jacmel, Haiti, to meet with Nini and the research process and logistics.
STEP 2
Methods - Why Ethnographic Research (In-depth Interviews and Participant Observation)?
Pros
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Gaining a deeper understanding of the daily lives and experiences of my participants.
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Discovering new trends.
Cons
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The process is time-consuming; I had to go to Jacmel, Haiti, several times.
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The researcher's ability to connect with their participants will determine the outcomes.
My Solutions to Address the Challenges of Ethnographic Research
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I recruited Haitian Vodou participants via snowball sampling (chain referral) due to the closeness of the religion. My initial point of contact was Nini, a Haitian Vodou manbo (a priestess), who helped me get in touch with other devotees.
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I interviewed non-Haitian Vodou devotees: moto-taxi drivers, waiters, merchants, restaurant owners, hotel employees, and artists.
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I conducted focus groups.
Summary of Data Collection:
I interviewed 16 Haitian Vodou devotees aged 18 to 75. I also spoke with ten non-devotees about their opinions about Haitian Vodou.
STEP 3
Research Insights:
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Haitian Vodou's economic system is rooted in providing support to their communities. However, Haiti's economic decline has affected how the devotees can provide services.
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"I have to feed the person who is being initiated. I have to buy sacred objects. While they are absent, there is a daily ceremony. The ounsi and drummers must be mobilized for each ceremony. Due to the country's economic situation, the drummers won't play if I don't provide them with an honorarium. I am also assisted by devotees from other peristil on the day of the event. In addition to feeding them, I also have to feed my ounsi. As a result, the money received goes toward these expenses." – Research Participant
STEP 4
Setbacks and Challenges:
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Since I was not a Haitian Vodou devotee, I was not able to gain access fully.
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In my interviews with my participants, I noticed that when I asked about Haiti's social changes, they would respond that life is becoming more difficult (Lavi a vinn pi chè). Such responses provided me with a limited perspective on the issue. In light of this, I decided to reframe the question by focusing on their daily expenses, such as the cost of food for rituals and clothes.
STEP 5
Outcomes:
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I proposed a model to test the implications of socio-economic factors in the configuration of Haitian Vodou's sacred space, which I have presented at conferences and influenced researchers.
Lesson Learned
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The forms of labor and spiritual expenses associated with Haitian Vodou have not been examined.
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Only one Haitian Vodou temple could be studied during my ethnographic research
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My proposed model will need to be tested further by ethnographic fieldwork.