The term Vodou (Vodun or Vudun in Benin; and Togo; also Vodon, Vodoun, Voudou, or other phonetically equivalent spellings. In Haiti; Vudu (an Ewe word, also used in the Dominican Republic) is by some individuals applied to the branches of a West African ancestral religious tradition. It is important to note that the word \"Voodoo\" is the most common and known usage in American and popular culture, and is often viewed as offensive by the Afro-Diaspora practicing communities. However, the different spellings of this term can be explained as follows. • Vodou is used to describe the Haitian Vodou religious tradition. • Vudon, vodun, and vodoun are used to describe the deities honoured in the Brazilian Jeje (Ewe) sect of Candomble as well as West African Vodoun. • When the word \"Vodou/Vodoun\" is capitalized, it denotes the Religion proper. • When the word is used in small caps, it denotes the actual deities honored in each respective tradition. • The word \"Voodoo\" is properly used to describe the Creole rituals and herbal remedies of New Orleans, usually in absence of communal religious practices or polytheism. Similar traditions are practiced throughout the African-American community, sometimes combined with Native American traditions and called Hoodoo. Its roots are believed to be varied and include the Fon, Mina, Kabye, Ewe, and Yoruba peoples of West Africa, from western Nigeria to eastern Ghana. The word Vodún \"Vodoun\" \"Vudu\" is the Fon-Ewe word for spirit. Voodoo in Haiti is highly influenced by Central African traditions. The Kongo rites, also known in the north of Haiti as Lemba (originally practiced among the Bakongo) and is as widespread as the West African elements. voodoo vodou vodon voudou vudu magic priest black ghost spirit africa bongo congo