Haitians and Black Americans engage in historically-rooted New Year's traditions that honor past struggles and manifest hope for the future.

Vodou even played a major role in the Haitian Revolution, as the West African lwa or spirit-force Ogou Feray is credited with motivating slaves in Saint-Domingue to seek their freedom. In Vodou ...

During Vodou ceremonies, lwa are offered treats that include papayas ... and strengthen the survivors as much as the survival ...