Winti : une nouvelle religion magique en Hollande

Résumé 0

Since the seventies a new religion has arisen in the Netherlands. It is the religion which is called « Winti », indigenous to the black people of Surinam. Before the independency of Surinam many black people migrated to the Netherlands.Winti has its roots in Africa ; when black people were forced into slavery in America, they took fragments of their religion with them ; it was forbidden, but nevertheless practiced.The paper describes the history and development of Winti in Surinam. It describes the pantheon, and the practices of this religion ; much attention is given to the spirits and their influence in human life. Also the work of the mediator or « medicine man » (bonoeman) is described, his ritual practices, his healing-work, his magic and his function in the big collective rituals.Then Winti is placed in a broader perspective. How did it function in the christianized Surinam and what is the relation now between Winti and the Church of the Brethren ? We can see that in the Netherlands Winti is emerging and is becoming more self-conscious : winti-people claim it as a real religion, which belongs to the black community.In the last part the Winti-religion is compared with western spiritualism, with western spiritual healing and with the modern neo-paganism. It appears that Winti is quite different from the first ones, but has some ideas and practices in common with the latter. But among Dutch religions Winti has its own unique place.