Haitians see spirit world behind quake

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The night was filled with voices, murmuring then gathering together then rising into hymns and chants that carried far in the balmy air.

This was the time for God and for spirits.

On a road next to the central cemetery, residents of a small slum were lying on mattresses and pieces of cardboard set out on the broken pavement. A woman started to hum a Christian song, and soon rallied a chorus, singing and dancing and clapping for rhythm.

‘Kem kontan Jesus renmem, aleluya,’ they sang — joyously, not mournfully. ‘I’m so happy Jesus loves me. Hallelujah.’

Farther down the road, two voodoo priestesses sat down on buckets with another group. They made the sign of the cross and started a Catholic hymn, before splashing some rum on the ground to reach out to the gede, the spirits of the dead.

Continue reading In Haiti, some see the spirit world behind the quake.

Photos: Haitians seek comfort in faith

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