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Synopsis
The classic, intimate study, movingly written with the special insight of direct encounter, Maya Deren's Divine Horsemen is recognized throughout the world as the primary source book on the culture and spirituality of Haitian Vodoun. The work includes photographs and illustrations, glossary, appendices and index. Originally published by Thames and Hudson in 1953. Preface by Joseph Campbell.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a beautiful and fascinating book which takes Voodoo seriously as a pagan, polytheistic religion whose beliefs and practices offer its followers spiritual experiences and hope in their very difficult daily lives. Maya Deren describes all the members of the Voodoo pantheon (the "loa") and explains how they are honoured by their followers and what Voodoo worship involves. She shows very clearly that Voodoo is not a deviation from Christianity, but a true faith which deserves as much respect as our over-vaunted monotheistic revealed religions. She also makes it plain that the centre of religious faith is the encounter between men and gods, not a series of petty do's and don'ts and a few meaningless rituals.
The most remarkable feature of the book is its description of how, during ceremonies, worshippers are "ridden" (i.e. possessed) by one of the loa. During one such ceremony Ms. Deren was herself possessed by the weeping "Magdalene" of Voodoo, Erzulie; this is sufficient proof of her sympathy with her subject.
Far too many people either despise polytheism or believe it is inferior to monotheistic beliefs. Many Westerners seem to be unaware that polytheism survives at all, or that it is a valid spiritual choice (except, perhaps, for Hinduism; and many Westerners do their best to make the Hindu pantheon fit their own belief systems). "Divine Horsemen" is an excellent introduction to a polytheistic faith, and a warning against automatic contempt for the belief systems of other cultures.
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12 reviews
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Explores the theology & philosopy of Haitian Voodoun
28 Sep 1999
Format:Paperback
Maya Deren's "Divine Horsemen" is a poetically rendered exploration of the philosophy and practices of Haitian Voodoun. Written in the early '50's (with the support of Joseph Campbell), this book is not a "how to" practical guide. Rather it a metaphysical, religious, philosophical & anthropological study of Voodoun. As an artist, Deren brings a uniquely lyrical voice to her narrative and paints a multi-textured, infinitely complex portrait of a spiritual tradition with roots stretching back to the very dawn of humanity. In reading this book I was awed by an awareness of the sophisication and perception of the so-called "primitive" people of West Africa (from which Voodoun derives). They were only "primitive" in terms of the development of technology, certainly not in the development of the spirit. Reading this has created a profound shift in my view of the history of civilization as taught to me in school. This book is essential reading not only for anyone interested in Voodoun, but also for any student of comparative religion, mythology or spirituality.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
A Bridge Between Art and Ethnography
2 Mar 1999
Format:Paperback
This is an excellent history of the African origins of Voudoun ( creole 'spelling' used by Deren) and its transplantation to the New World. When the subject of spirit possession comes up, Deren questions why the most impressive phenomenon of Voudoun is not seen as a direct pragmatic expression of the principles of the religion . There is a chapter on this called 'The White Darkness' which Deren cautions should not be seen as a 'personal' experience but service to the 'loa' or Voudoun deity. Nevertheless this has been misinterpreted as Deren's 'deed', which has laid ground for several unfounded myths about the filmmaker. Her participatorial observations ran against the grain of traditional orthodox male anthropologists of the time and she realized that she would be attacked for encroaching on their turf. That is why DH should be seen as an important feminist ethnography. Deren described the relationship between magic, science and religion which was at the apex of modernism. This research interrupted her film career as she was hard at work with this before she made her first film in 1943. She later returned to this as recipient of a Guggenheim fellowship for creative work in motion pictures in 1947 . Over 20,000 feet of film were shot by Deren in Haiti and remained unedited as she later came to see that it was impossible to alter the forms of the rituals of Voudoun. For that reason it is claimed that she never made a film and that her involvement in Voudoun destroyed her work as an artist which are fallacies. This book is a must to understand the complexity of this outstanding artist and ethnographer
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Deren offers artist's perspective on vodou.
8 Jan 1999
Format:Paperback
I agree with all but one of the statements made by carnero@juno.com: Deren was not an academic at all. Rather, she went to Haiti as a filmmaker, intending to study and film ritual dance. In her preface, she discusses at length her unique vantage point as an artist rather than an anthropologist. This is part of why her book is so wonderful: it is clearly infused with an artist's--and ultimately an adherent's sensibility.
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