Las 21 Divisiones (sometimes also refferred to as Los Misterios or Dominican Vodou) is a tradition which comes from the Dominican Republic. It is a religious practice which blends influences from Catholicism, religious practices of the Kongo, Benin and Yoruba (Nigeria), Haitian Vodou and Taino Indian religious practices.
Due to the History of the Dominican Republic, and the stronghold of the Catholic faith, a large number of Dominicans who practice the 21 Divisiones or partake within it’s ceremonies/rituals still identify as exclusively Catholic. Those involved at deeper levels (Papa Boko/ Papa Lwa Mama Mambo) will often be public about their Vodou/Vudu practice but state that it works together with Catholicism rather than against it.
Las 21 Divisiones is less strict than the Haitian Vodou. There is less regleman (Fixed Doctrine or Rule within the Haitian Vodou Tradition). There is no fixed doctrine, defined temples or ceremonies. It doesn’t have as rigid a structure. This can be seen in the many different ways in which Caballos de Misterios conduct ceremonies and how the spirits mount a person.
In Las 21 Divisiones, a Servidor de Misterio usually practices within an altar room known as a badji/baji/bayi. While some Papa Bokos or Mama Mambos have whole temples (a bayi along with a separate dance area) to serve the Misterios, they are the exception and generally not the rule. During a 21 Divisiones ceremony, a Misterio can possess a Caballo although a different Misterio is being sung/played for via the music during that particular time. Also, the music will not necessarily be played/sung in any particular order. Meaning a song for Belie Belcan may be played, then one for Santa Marta, then one for Anaisa and then another for Belie Belcan. Depending on the Caballo and his/her Misterios, he may have a particular order that he/she must follow for the ceremony but this is a rarity rather than a commonality.
One of the other major differences between Haitian and Dominican Vodou is the drum beats, the drums and it’s troupe. In most Mani (21 Division Ceremonies), the drums being used are of Kongo form and origin. The beats being known as Atables. Along with the drum group, a guira (scraper) is used and there is usually a lead singer. The drums are known as Palos and the drummers as Paleros, and when a ceremony in which they are at is usually referred to as a Fiesta de Palo.
Within Las 21 Divisiones, Caballos de Misterio can call upon the Misterios or Lwases (into possession) can through various means including but not limited to: by use of prayers, secret invocations, while doing consultations with cards, palms or shells. The Misterios also provide information via other ways, such as dreams or via divination. Clairvoyance/Clauridence is a spiritually ability which is harnessed and used by most Caballos de Misterio as well.
In Dominican Vodou, God and the Virgin Mary are referred to often and many make petitions to them. Unlike Haitian Vodou, where as God is seen to be more distant, those in Dominican Vodou often state that God is very involved in their tradition and practice. Thus the tradition is very heavily tied into serving God and experiencing his divine energy. You will often see various practices within the 21 Divisiones that are Catholic in Origin.
Las 21 Divisiones and most of it’s practitioners usually follow a high moral/ethical code. However, this does not mean all. However, most Caballos de Misterio work “clean” only, meaning they do not work for vengeance or revenge, but will work for justice and other positive aims. In some lineage, new initiates are made to take a special oath to just work in a clean manner. It is often said that the Misterios will leave those who produce works of evil.
Dominican Vodou is practiced through a Tcha Tcha lineage (“maraca” – which means rattle – lineage). In Haiti, Vodou has come about and become more popular through another lineage known as the Asson. However, before the Asson, the Tcha Tcha lineage was the prominent lineage in Haiti. Thus the Tcha Tcha lineage is one of the oldest lineages within the Vodou tradition.
Dominican Vodou practitioners are often called “Caballos” but they are also known as Papa Bokos and Papa Lwa (both for males) and Mama Mambos and Mama Lwa (both for females). One who has obtained this title has gone through the last and highest level of initiation that can take anywhere between 3 to 9 days and nights as well as have spent a time working for the community.e