All African-based traditional religions include a strong and abiding reverence for the ancestors. Haitian Vodou lost a priestess and a scholar this month with the passing of Dr. Karen McCarthy Brown. Brown crossed into the land of the ancestors on March 4, 2015.
Even though I never had the honor of meeting her, Karen McCarthy Brown influenced my spirituality and work in ways that have been profound. As a Brooklyn native my first thought when her book Mama Lola was published in 1991 was that it was like a Vodou welcome call from home. Like myself she was one of the few to attempt to understand this beautiful tradition from the inside and out, through practice and study. Temple University’s Terry Rey said “Her legacy will ever be cherished by those of us who have been blessed by Karen’s wisdom, ways, and words. “
I recommend Brown’s work to all who wish to understand more about the beautiful religion of Haitian Vodou. Karen McCarthy Brown was a Professor of Anthropology at Drew University from 1976-2009. She was the first woman to receive tenure there, and the first female to attain the rank of full professor. Her work focused on Vodou, and she attained the rank of Mambo priestess. She was always an advocate for racial, ethnic and gender diversity.
Brown’s Memorial Page can be found at www.fordfuneralhome.com and her loved ones have requested that those wishing to make a donation do so to the Haitian relief organization Partners in Health.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In