Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Benin's Vodun Day
Benin's Vodun Day
Reading Comprehension for January 10
Millions of people belong to one of the world's many different religions. Being a part of a religion means many things. One of them, of course, is a belief in a higher power, sometimes a god or many gods. One important part of many religions is a sense of community. That is, it is important for people of a religion to come together to meet regularly and to have a sense of belonging.
This was true of many African slaves who were brought to North and South America in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. These Africans who were forced onto ships and brought to work in a strange land brought along as much of their home life as they could. They brought their music, traditions, and religion with them. Wouldn't you? One group of Africans from the western coast of the continent brought with them a religion that would become known as voodoo.
Does the word "voodoo" mean anything to you? To many people, the word symbolizes things dark, mysterious, and often evil. Have you heard of a voodoo doll? It's a doll that represents someone, and it's believed that when the doll is tortured, the same thing happens to the person. But none of that has to do with real voodoo. It was all just made up.
