Haiti, History and the Gods
Haiti, History and the Gods is an historical work by Joan Dayan and Colin Dayan. This explores the relationship between Haitian history and Voodoo ritual. This is a good starting point for understanding the origins of Haitian Voodoo and how it has shaped Caribbean culture in important ways historically.
Divine Horsemen
Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti is an ethnography by Maya Deren from 1953. A deep first hand look at Voodoo rites and rituals. This is one of the earliest complete anthropological studies on Voodoo in Haiti. It has detailed information and photos of Voodoo rites.
Magic Orange Tree
The Magic Orange Tree and Other Haitian Folkales is a collection of traditional stories by Diane Wolkstein. A great introductory look at Voodoo culture. This book will help you understand more subtle traditional references in Voodoo practices.
Passage of Darkness
Ethnography by anthropologist Wade Davis, covering the traditional practices of the Bokur and the zombi. This is a controversial book about a controversial rite most Houngans do not practice. It has very good and vivid descriptions of ritual work, however.
Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou
Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou is a collection of sixteen academic essays on Vodou. A very strong scholarly look at Vodou magic and tradition. This is a good starting point if you are interested in the way academics view and study Vodou traditions.
Vodou in Haitian Life and Culture
Vodou in Haitian Life and Culture: Invisible Powers is a collection of essays by scholars of Haitian Vodou. Another strong academic look at Vodou. Not as much focus on Vodou rite and spell work, but a strong focus on the intersection of Vodou and Haitian culture.
The Haitian Vodou Handbook
The Haitian Vodou Handbook: Protocols for Riding with the Lwa is an introductory look at building good relationships with the Lwa, or the spirits of Vodou. If you would like to build an affinity with the spirits, but have not been formally initiated into Vodou, this is a good place to start.
Secrets of Voodoo
Secrets of Voodoo is a controversial look at Voodoo history and magic by Milo Rigaud. This should not be taken as an entirely authoritative view of Voodoo, as it does not describe most Voodoo practice. However, it is worth reading if you would like a book with a focus on some limited Voodoo spells.
Haitian Vodou
Haitian Vodou: An Introduction to Haiti's Indigenous Spiritual Tradition is a history of Vodou with a focus on rites and rituals. By Vodou Mambo Chita Tann. This is a good perspective from one experienced practitioner of Vodou.
Sacred Possessions
Sacred Possessions: Vodou, Santerfa, Obeah, and the Caribbean is an academic essay collection exploring the different trajectories of Caribbean spirituality from Africa. If you have ever wondered how these traditions are related, this essay collection explains it well.
Haitian Vodou: Spirit Myth & Reality
Haitian Vodou: Spirit, Myth, and Reality is another collection of academic essays on Vodou, exploring the role of Vodou in Haitian society at all levels. This essay collection has a focus on how Vodou has shaped Haitian society.
