THE SPIRITUAL LEGACY OF VODOU IN TONI MORRISON’S SONG OF SOLOMON
Auteur.e.s
Ferdinand KPOHOUE , Nassourou IMOROU, Didier KOMBIENI.
Résumé
This article explores the presence and the role of Vodou and other African spiritual traditions in
Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon. For the purpose of effective reading of the novel, it argues that
these traditions shape the characters, and shift the plot, while offering a unique way paramount
for understanding Morrison’s reflection of the concepts of identity, resistance and healing. The
study lays emphasis on four key elements such as, the blending of African spirituality and
Christianity, the role of Vodou in resisting cultural extinction, women as the keepers of spiritual
wisdom as well as the influence of myth and folklore in metamorphosing narrative. Lastly, the
article sheds light on the rich spiritual heritage woven into the Song of Solomon, and shows how
it shapes our understanding of the novel’s depth and lasting impact. The research follows a
qualitative textual analysis grounded in Postcolonial Theory, with support from Black Feminist
thought alongside Myth Criticism.
Keywords: Vodoo, Identity, Myth, Folklore, Cultural extinction