Song of the Voodoo (1931) | Haitian Travelogue

Haiti Travel documentary originally released in 1931 by RKO-Pathé. From the Prelinger Archive.
As described in RKO Radio Pictures Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 1929-1956 by Michael R. Pitts:
The Song of the Voodoo (1931; 9 minutes) CAST: Tom Terris (Narrator). White Zombie, released theatrically by United Artists in the summer of 1932, is credited with being the first film to use voodoo as part of its story. It was, however, preceded in theaters by the RKO-Pathe short subject The Song of the Voodoo, part of the studio's "Vagabond Adventure" series, produced by the Van Beuren Corporation. A voodoo ceremony is pictured in the docu-mentary along with a overview of Haiti, where residents are shown in various activities, plus a tour of sculptor Charles Normil's studio. Exhibitors' Forum termed it "another of the popular Vagabond Adventure series which is always interesting.... The description of the voodoo ceremony by Tom Terris is vividly told in his usual accomplished manner." The Film Daily called it an "interesting travel talk" and concluded, "The descriptive matter of the voodoo ceremony is more interesting than the photographs."
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[@nomibe2911]

My grandmother was 16 years old in Haiti at this time. To think she was around in Haiti at this time is crazy.

[@muxnod9857]

That's dope. This film is 1931. My Mother (RIP 2016) was born in Haiti in 1932.

[@Wreckshopp81]

They demonized the voodon because it was not for them or by them. So what they don't understand they tear it down

[@patandersen4271]

Thank you, Haitians are very wonderful and hard-working persons I've met a few wish I knew more. Don't believe negative remarks of politicians.

[@germyw]

This was purposely low-key racist but I see why it needs to be seen.

[@cgogetit]

Very!

[@Prinzezz10]

Wow!! Thank you for sharing!

[@nolasoul71]

This is a prime example of the art of propaganda.

[@LarryBonson]

Rashad How so?

[@april_dawn]

Rashad Ikr! And, ppl still don't get it! Smh!

[@listen2africamedia604]

glad I'm not the only person who sees it

[@listen2africamedia604]

Mr. Nunuisance clearly they don't wanna give people the fact that Africans are settlers and we all around the world without mentioning slavery

[@jady7559]

The SO-CALLED HAITIANS ARE NOT AFRICANS! Africa is not the beginning of ALL LIFE!!

[@tamarapurplesweetgrassmacg1175]

Thankyou for these wonderful films you share.There in wonderful condition!As an Ojibway Indian part of my job during our cerimonies I use to take all pens,pencils and film instructed by my teacher of 110 years old as only people who were there were to see and hear what happened and once you took part you always had a spot whenever you choose to returnI prayed for years till I found my culter as I was a 60`s scoop baby when they still stole the children trying to put them with whites as the goverment believed kill the Indian not the man but all we have to do is hear the drumb and the Indian never dies!!!Thanks again,from Windsor Ontario Canada

[@madamoiselle03]

Honor and Respect to The Father Land Ayiti The First black Republic my spiritual home. Vodou is Love

[@ameard9801]

I practice voodoo

[@fredleejohnson9281]

Wow'wow I'm just saying thank you for this powerful and classic historical/history story Wow'wow I'm just saying "SON OF A GUN" "BLACK FIRST"

[@walteregbara4692]

Dear narrator it's not a cult but a religion

[@mocathevocalist]

Nyce vid tu wahch

[@Whynot356]

Condescending

[@williamroberts8470]

Amazing. Well after you turn the sound off it gets better.

[@sandraoss326]

what a joke they are doing this only for the camera man

[@trickemdevil1849]

Lies

[@april_dawn]

Thanks for sharing! I just wish these anglo saxon distractions quit Africanizin' my ppl w/ they Atlantic slave trade HOAX story 🇭🇹 💖

[@aped]

April Dawn wtf? Lol Haitians are clearly African descended.

[@dariusstewart6814]

April Dawn I see u kind of slow

[@april_dawn]

aped You're ignorant. I can show u my family's pics, and African will not come to mind. So, how are Haitians "clearly" African? Oh, b/c you believe in ur wighy daddy's Out-of-Africa THEORY, and think Africans have a monopoly on melanated features & kinky/curly hair; which they don't!

[@april_dawn]

Darius Stewart I see u are slow idiot!

[@dwhoop7045]

April Dawn Haitian Voo doo came out of West Africa!!

[@Mack_Worlds_Media]

Voodoo huh😒

[@SouthDFWrep]

That video of the drums does NOT match the silly music in the narrative.

[@loiswilcken1758]

You're right. The dance might be Petwo, and as in all Vodou styles, the drumming is rhythmically and tonally complex. Filmmakers then and even now draw from libraries of stock music recordings that match stereotypes. This one was typically biased.