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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Rapelle is told in the dream that she will be able to do what?

2. In time, the two become friends, and she tells him what story?

3. Danbala operates from the territory of ______________, asking questions.

4. In this chapter, Alourdes, Maggie, Karen, Big Daddy and Maggie's children arrive at Karen's new ______________ apartment in Manhattan.

5. Maggie tells the story of losing a ___________ (an important item in Vodou initiation rituals.) while in Haiti.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do the initiates do the answer to number 55 in the cemetery?

2. What is one of the most important lessons learned about the practice of Vodou from reading this book? How is Karen's involvement in Mama Lola's story important to most readers of this book?

3. Who does Aunt Emma represent? Why is this important?

4. What do all the women in this family have in common?

5. How has Alourdes been like Ezili?

6. What is one of the best stories in this chapter? Why?

7. What does this chapter reiterate about the responsibility of serving the spirits?

8. How do each of the four initiates handle the initiation rites? Who handles it the best?

9. What similarity exists between Marie Claire and Maggie?

10. Compare the focus on morality and sexuality in the Vodou culture as compared the many people in America? How do these differences affect many Americans' views of Vodou?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There is a growing need for Manbos.

Part 1) What is a manbo? How is this person important in Vodou culture? Why are manbos increasingly more important in Haiti? What does this reveal about Vodou culture and life in Haiti?

Part 2) How are these cultural changes seen in other cultures around the world? How is religion becoming more important in some cultures? Why?

Part 3) Would you want to be a manbo? Why or why not? Would you be able to accept a role such as this in another religious organization, if it were offered to you or asked of you? Why or why not? How do manbos reflect the role of religious leaders in a community?

Essay Topic 2

There are many short, fictitious stories in this book.

Part 1) Describe two of these short stories. How is each important to the book? What do they each reveal about Haiti, Alourdes' family, and/or Vodou?

Part 2) How are these stories representatives of Haiti's oral tradition? Why is oral history so important to Alourdes' culture? How are the people of Haiti influenced by stories such as these?

Part 3) How is oral history important to other cultures around the world? How is it also a part of American culture? Why might fictitious stories be universal? Why are they created by humans?

Essay Topic 3

There are four steps in the initiation ritual.

Part 1) What are these four steps? Describe and analyze each step. What is the purpose of each step? How does one step lead to another? What do these steps reveal or reinforce about Vodou?

Part 2) How does this initiation rite compare to rituals found in other religions and organizations? Why do these similarities exist?

Part 3) In what rituals have you participated? Why? How did you feel about these rituals and other religious rituals? Why is ritual important to humans?

(see the answer keys)

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