The origin of the word "vodoun" is traced back to the term "vodu", meaning "spirit" or "deity" in the Fon language of the West African kingdom of Dahomey, which is now part of Nigeria. Eighteenth century Creoles (of Spanish or French ancestry), masters of the Dahomean slaves translated the word into "vaudau". Eventually, the word became "voudou, voudoun, vodoun, voodoo and hoodoo". Vodoun is not only a religion but a way of life.
The Vodoun pantheon of gods are called "loas" or "mysteres". Vodouns acknowledge an original Supreme Being called "Gran Met" who created the world. Devotees are those who serve the loa and, depending upon the motives of the practice, the loas can be kind, beneficent, wise, violent, sexual, vindictive, generous or mean.
The father of the loas is "Danbhalah-Wedo" otherwise known as the Great Serpent (aka Danballah or Damballah). He is said to have brought forth creation. Danbhalah is the eldest of the ancestors and doesn't speak, only hisses. The sacred language of Vodoun is called "Langage". It represents long forgotten African ritual. It is said to have originated with Danbhalah's hissing. Danbhalah governs the waters of the earth and is associated with Legba who is the god of the sun and the way of all spiritual communion.
Aida-Wedo is the Rainbow that came out of the waters of the earth and is Danbhalah's wife. She, too, is a serpent. She feeds upon bananas and lives mainly in the water. Her rainbow decorates vodoun temples. She is only one presentation of the goddess Erzulie, the deity of beauty, love, wealth and prosperity. She is referred to as Maitresse Erzulie. She is the lunar wife of Legba, the god of the sun. As the moon, Erzulie is pure and virginal. She can be vain; she likes pretty jewelry and perfume and angers easily.
It was through Danbhalah, the Serpent and Aida-Wedo, the Rainbow, that man was taught to procreate and how to make blood sacrifices so that they could become the spirit and obtain the wisdom of the Serpent. Legba is the East, the sun and the place the sun rises. He governs gates, fences and entryways. No other deity may join a Vodoun ceremony unless Legba has been asked to open the door. Legba controls the actions of all other spirits. He is called Papa, Papa Legba. He is associated with St. Peter, the gatekeeper of heaven and the man to whom Christ gave the keys of the Kingdom. Some see Legba as Christ. A mulatto man born of the sun and the moon, Legba also guards Crossroads and as Maitre Carrefour (master of the four roads, or crossroads) is the patron of Sorcery.
Other important deities all of whom have different manifestations include Ogou Fer or Ogoun, the god of war and armor, iron and metalworking, wisdom and fire. He is associated with St. James. He is one of the Gods I call to in my magickal workings. He is associated with Mars and helps in legal proceedings. He is also a protector.
Agwe or Agoueh is the spirit of the sea who presides over all fish and sealife and those who sail upon the seas. Zaka is the god of agriculture. He manifests himself in the clothes and coarse speech of the peasant. Erzulie Freda is the goddess's most feminine and flirtatious persona.
As Venus was the lover of Mars, Ogou or Oggun as I refer to him, takes Erzulie Freda. The list goes on and on. And, each time the spirit of an ancestor becomes divine, the list grows.
Another classification of loas is that of the Guedes. They are various spirits of death and dying, debauchery and lewdness, graveyards and gravediggers. They are sexual spirits. The Guedes also govern the preservation and renewal of life and protect children. They are usually referred to as Guede Nibbho or Nimbo, Baron Samedi (Saturday, the day of death) or Baron Cimetiere (cemetery). The loas are usually depicted wearing dark tailcoats and tall hats like those of an undertaker. The symbols of the Guedes are coffins and phalluses. Those possessed by Baron Samedi tell lewd jokes, wear dark glasses and smoke cigarettes or cigars. They eat like there is no tomorrow and drink huge amounts of alcohol. Some Vodoun traditions revolve entirely around the Guedes.
Calling the loas is communion through divine possession. When summoned, the gods can enter a govi or "mount a horse" - assume a person's mind and body. The possessed loose all consciousness, totally becoming the loa that possess them with all of their desires and eccentricities. Young women who are possessed by older loa seem frail and decrepit. The old possessed by the younger loa have the opposite effect and sometimes begin to dance and
cavort with no thought to their disabilities. Sometimes even the facial expressions change to resemble the god or goddess they are possessed by. Being possessed by the loa is dangerous as well. Some worshippers are unable to control the loa and have gone insane or died.
The loas are here to protect, punish, give skills and talents, divine, cure illness, exorcise spirits, give guidance, assist with rituals, and receive offerings of sacrifice.
The priests or priestesses are called houngan and mambos respectively. They act as intermediaries to summon the loa and help the loa to take leave when their business is finished. The houngan and mambo receive all authority from the loas. Those roles are considered on the same level as that of the Pope in the Roman Catholic institution. The houngan is called Papa or Papa-Loa while the mambo is sometimes called maman, or mama. They serve as healers, diviners, psychologists, musicians and spiritual leaders.
Their symbol is the asson, which is a large ritual rattle, made from calabash, a type of squash. The asson represents the joining of two of the most important magickal principles, i.e., the circle and the wand. In this calabash are placed sacred stones and serpent vertebrae. The stones and serpent vertebrae are considered the bones of African ancestors. Eight stones in eight colors are used to symbolize eight ancestral gods. The eight signifies eternity. To symbolize the rainbow of Aida-Wedo chains of colored beads or more snake vertebrae are used to encircle the round end of the dried calabash. Rattling the vertebrae, i.e., making the asson speak, calls the spirits to come down to the faithful through Danbhalah. Danbhalah is the oldest of the ancestors. Once the loa have been called through the deity's symbol or veve, the appeal to Legba for intercession, water rituals and prayers are made, the asson is then shaken or struck upon the veve to release the power of the loas and bring them into the ceremony.
There are other important ceremonial members such as "La Place" or "commandant la place". This is the master of ceremonies who is in charge of the flag-waving ceremonies, the choral singing and chanting and drum beating. The tool of La Place is a ritual sword made of fine iron and sometimes it is decorated with designs and symbols. The sword is called "ku-bha-sah" which means "cutting away all that is material." La Place brandishes his sword from east to west during these ceremonies cutting away the material work and leaving the faithful open for the presences of the divine. This sword also symbolizes the sword of the God of iron and weapons, Oggun.
Like some churches, the Vodoun's have their own choir, which is composed of initiated Vodoun members. These members are called hounsihs or hounsis and they perform under the direction of the hounguenicon or hounguenikon who are usually female and the most powerful members after the houngan or mambo. They send their chants through the astral and call for the loas to be present here on earth.
Novices are called hounsih bossales. Initiates who gather the sacrificial animals are called hounsih ventailleur. The person who cooks the sacrificial animals is referred to as the hounsih cuisiniere. Overseers of the distribution of sacrificial food that is not reserved for the loa are called hounguenicon quartier-maitre.
Magick and Vodoun. As with most of The Craft traditions and depending upon one's beliefs, there is no black or white. Therefore to the Vodoun tradition, evil is the mirror image of good. They believe that the magick is there to be used and, if it happens to be for evil, then so be it. The houngans who are more geared toward black-magick than healing are known as bokor or boko which means "one who serves the loa with both hands."
In the days of slavery and back to the tribal kingdoms of Africa, real Vodoun power rested in the secret societies. Membership in these societies meant a total commitment to Vodoun and to secrecy with respect to its practices and rituals. Blood oaths and a code of silence were taken. If one of the members broke any oath they could expect death.
Here are some more words of wisdom from Dolores:
"...No matter how painful or joyous the circumstance or how trifling it may seem to the mere mortal, there is a song that each soul must sing..." It is for them that I say: Do the best you possibly can. Mistakes will be made, but life is a series of lessons brought to teach. Tell those you love that you do in fact love them and, show them. Never mind what others may say of you. Choose wisely your words, your actions and your life's path. Always think before you do or say anything. Study that which you do not understand before you condemn or judge. And, always, believe that there is a greater purpose for you and that you matter. Reaching the pinnacle of the words I have written here, I leave you with one thought: BE FREE.
Dolores
Copyright © 2000 by Dolores Gameros