Voodoo beliefs originated in the Caribbean island nation of Haiti. Voodoo, also known as Vodou or Vodun, is a syncretic religion that developed in Haiti during the colonial era, blending African religious practices brought by enslaved Africans with elements of Catholicism introduced by the French colonizers. Voodoo encompasses a belief in spirits, ancestor worship, ritual practices, and the use of herbal remedies. It holds significant cultural and religious importance in Haiti and has also spread to other parts of the Caribbean and beyond through Haitian diaspora communities.