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MANWAI CHANG: HERE IS VOODOO, NOW GET UNDER A KAT.
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BARON SAMEDI
Apr 7, 2016, 1:10:10 PM4/7/16
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Loa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about a type of spirit. For other uses, see Loa (disambiguation).
"Lwa" redirects here. For abbreviations "LWA", see LWA (disambiguation).
Loa (also spelled Lwa or L'wha) are the spirits of Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo.[1] They are also referred to as Mystères and the Invisibles and are intermediaries between Bondye (French: Bon Dieu, meaning "good God")--the Supreme Creator, who is distant from the world--and humanity. Unlike saints or angels, however, they are not simply prayed to, they are served. They are each distinct beings with their own personal likes and dislikes, distinct sacred rhythms, songs, dances, ritual symbols, and special modes of service. Contrary to popular belief, the loa are not deities in and of themselves; they are intermediaries for, and dependent on, a distant Bondye.[1]
Contents [hide]
1 Syncretism
2 Rituals
3 Nations of Loa
3.1 Rada loa
3.2 Petro loa
3.3 Kongo loa
3.4 Nago loa
3.5 Ghede loa
4 Pantheons
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
Syncretism[edit]
The most common depiction of the loa Erzulie Dantor is derived from this variant of the sacred icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
The enslaved Fon and Ewe in Haiti and Louisiana syncretized the Loa with the Roman Catholic Saints--Vodoun altars will frequently display images of Catholic saints. For example, Papa Legba is syncretized with St. Peter or St. Lazarus.[2] Syncretism also works the other way in Haitian Vodou and many Catholic saints have become Loa in their own right, most notably Philomena, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Jude, and John the Baptist.
Rituals[edit]
In a ritual the Loa are summoned by the Houngan (Priest), Mambo (Priestess), or Bokor (Sorcerers) to take part in the service, receive offerings, and grant requests. The loa arrive in the peristyle (ritual space) by mounting (possessing) a horse (ritualist) - who is said to be "ridden". This can be quite a violent occurrence as the participant can flail about or convulse before falling to the ground,[2] but some loa, such as Ayizan, will mount their "horses" very quietly.
Certain loa display very distinctive behaviour by which they can be recognized, specific phrases, and specific actions. As soon as a loa is recognized, the symbols appropriate to them will be given to them. For example, Erzulie Freda will be given a mirror and a comb, fine cloth or jewelry; Legba will be given his cane, straw hat, and pipe; Baron Samedi will be given his top hat, sunglasses, and a cigar.
Once the loa have arrived, fed, been served, and possibly given help or advice, they leave the peristyle. Certain loa can become obstinate, for example the Ghede are notorious for wanting just one more smoke, or one more drink, but it is the job of the Houngan or Mambo to keep the spirits in line while ensuring they are adequately provided for.
Nations of Loa[edit]
There are many families or "nanchons" (nations) of Loa: Rada (also Radha), Petro (also Pethro, Petwo), Nago, Kongo, and Ghede (also Guede, or Gede), among others.
Rada loa[edit]
The Rada loa are generally the older, more beneficent loa. They include Legba, Loko, Ayizan, Anaisa Pye, Dhamballah Wedo and Ayida-Weddo, Erzulie Freda, La Sirène, and Agwé. Their traditional colour is white (as opposed to the specific colours of individual loa).
Petro loa[edit]
The Petro loa are generally the more fiery, occasionally aggressive and warlike loa, and are associated with Haiti and the New World. They include Ezili Dantor, Marinette, and Met Kalfu (Maitre Carrefour, "Master Crossroads"). Their traditional colour is red.
Kongo loa[edit]
Originating from the Congo region, these loa include the many Simbi loa. It also includes Marinette, a fierce and much feared female loa.
Nago loa[edit]
Originating from Yorubaland, this nation includes many of the Ogoun loa.
Ghede loa[edit]
The Ghede are the spirits of the dead. They are traditionally led by the Barons (La Croix, Samedi, Cimitière, Kriminel), and Maman Brigitte. The Ghede as a family are loud, rude (although rarely to the point of real insult), sexual, and usually a lot of fun. As those who have lived already, they have nothing to fear, and frequently will display how far past consequence and feeling they are when they come through in a service--eating glass, raw chillis, and anointing their sensitive areas with chilli rum, for example. Their traditional colours are black and purple.
Pantheons[edit]
Adjassou-Linguetor
Adjinakou
Adya Houn'tò
Agaou
Agassou
Agwé
Anaisa Pye
Anmino
Ayida-Weddo
Ayizan
Azaka-Tonnerre
Bacalou
Badessy
Baron Samedi
Baron Kriminel
Belie Belcan
Boli Shah
Bossou Ashadeh
Boum'ba Maza
Brize
Bugid Y Aiba
Captain Debas
Clermeil
Congo
Damballa
Dan Petro
Dan Wédo
Demeplait
Deryale
Diable Tonnere
Diejuste
Dinclinsin
Erzulie
Filomez
Ghede
Ghede Linto
Ghede Loraj
Ghede Nibo
Ghede Doubye
Gran Maître
Grand Bois
Guinee
Jean Zombi
Joseph Danger
Joumalonge
Kalfu
Kapitan Zombi
Klemezin Klemay
Legba
Lemba
L'inglesou
La Sirène
Limba
Loco
Lovana
Mademoiselle Charlotte
Mait' Carrefour
Maîtresse Délai
Maîtresse Hounon'gon
Maman Brigitte
Marassa
Marassa Jumeaux
Marinette (Vodou)
Maroule
Mombu
Manze Marie
Mounanchou
Nago Shango
Ogoun
Papa Legba
Pie
Silibo
Simbi
Sobo
Sousson-Pannan
Senegal
Ti Kita
Ti Jean Quinto
Ti Malice
Ti Jean Petro
Wawe.
See also[edit]
Dahomey mythology
Haitian mythology
Paket kongo
Orisha
Nkisi
Alusi
Winti
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b Anthony B. Pinn. "The African American Religious Experience in America" Greenwood Press, 2005, pg 229. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "AnthonyPinn" defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ Jump up to: a b Kenaz Filan (10 November 2006). The Haitian Vodou Handbook: Protocols for Riding with the Lwa. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-59477-995-4. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Filan2006" defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
External links[edit]
Webster list of loa
[hide] v t e
Afro-American religion
Religions
Abakuá Candomblé (Bantu Jejé Ketu) Cuban Vodú Dominican Vudú Haitian Vodou Kumina Louisiana Voodoo Obeah Palo Quimbanda Santería Spiritual Baptist Umbanda Winti
Chiwara male drawing.png
Roots
Ifá Orisha (Yoruba) Loa (Fon and Ewe) Alusi (Igbo) Winti (Akan) Nkisi (Kongo) Roman Catholicism (France Portugal Spain Netherlands) Protestantism (England Netherlands) Indigenous American mythology
Categories: Vodou deitiesCaribbean mythology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about a type of spirit. For other uses, see Loa (disambiguation).
"Lwa" redirects here. For abbreviations "LWA", see LWA (disambiguation).
Loa (also spelled Lwa or L'wha) are the spirits of Haitian Vodou and Louisiana Voodoo.[1] They are also referred to as Mystères and the Invisibles and are intermediaries between Bondye (French: Bon Dieu, meaning "good God")--the Supreme Creator, who is distant from the world--and humanity. Unlike saints or angels, however, they are not simply prayed to, they are served. They are each distinct beings with their own personal likes and dislikes, distinct sacred rhythms, songs, dances, ritual symbols, and special modes of service. Contrary to popular belief, the loa are not deities in and of themselves; they are intermediaries for, and dependent on, a distant Bondye.[1]
Contents [hide]
1 Syncretism
2 Rituals
3 Nations of Loa
3.1 Rada loa
3.2 Petro loa
3.3 Kongo loa
3.4 Nago loa
3.5 Ghede loa
4 Pantheons
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
Syncretism[edit]
The most common depiction of the loa Erzulie Dantor is derived from this variant of the sacred icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa.
The enslaved Fon and Ewe in Haiti and Louisiana syncretized the Loa with the Roman Catholic Saints--Vodoun altars will frequently display images of Catholic saints. For example, Papa Legba is syncretized with St. Peter or St. Lazarus.[2] Syncretism also works the other way in Haitian Vodou and many Catholic saints have become Loa in their own right, most notably Philomena, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Jude, and John the Baptist.
Rituals[edit]
In a ritual the Loa are summoned by the Houngan (Priest), Mambo (Priestess), or Bokor (Sorcerers) to take part in the service, receive offerings, and grant requests. The loa arrive in the peristyle (ritual space) by mounting (possessing) a horse (ritualist) - who is said to be "ridden". This can be quite a violent occurrence as the participant can flail about or convulse before falling to the ground,[2] but some loa, such as Ayizan, will mount their "horses" very quietly.
Certain loa display very distinctive behaviour by which they can be recognized, specific phrases, and specific actions. As soon as a loa is recognized, the symbols appropriate to them will be given to them. For example, Erzulie Freda will be given a mirror and a comb, fine cloth or jewelry; Legba will be given his cane, straw hat, and pipe; Baron Samedi will be given his top hat, sunglasses, and a cigar.
Once the loa have arrived, fed, been served, and possibly given help or advice, they leave the peristyle. Certain loa can become obstinate, for example the Ghede are notorious for wanting just one more smoke, or one more drink, but it is the job of the Houngan or Mambo to keep the spirits in line while ensuring they are adequately provided for.
Nations of Loa[edit]
There are many families or "nanchons" (nations) of Loa: Rada (also Radha), Petro (also Pethro, Petwo), Nago, Kongo, and Ghede (also Guede, or Gede), among others.
Rada loa[edit]
The Rada loa are generally the older, more beneficent loa. They include Legba, Loko, Ayizan, Anaisa Pye, Dhamballah Wedo and Ayida-Weddo, Erzulie Freda, La Sirène, and Agwé. Their traditional colour is white (as opposed to the specific colours of individual loa).
Petro loa[edit]
The Petro loa are generally the more fiery, occasionally aggressive and warlike loa, and are associated with Haiti and the New World. They include Ezili Dantor, Marinette, and Met Kalfu (Maitre Carrefour, "Master Crossroads"). Their traditional colour is red.
Kongo loa[edit]
Originating from the Congo region, these loa include the many Simbi loa. It also includes Marinette, a fierce and much feared female loa.
Nago loa[edit]
Originating from Yorubaland, this nation includes many of the Ogoun loa.
Ghede loa[edit]
The Ghede are the spirits of the dead. They are traditionally led by the Barons (La Croix, Samedi, Cimitière, Kriminel), and Maman Brigitte. The Ghede as a family are loud, rude (although rarely to the point of real insult), sexual, and usually a lot of fun. As those who have lived already, they have nothing to fear, and frequently will display how far past consequence and feeling they are when they come through in a service--eating glass, raw chillis, and anointing their sensitive areas with chilli rum, for example. Their traditional colours are black and purple.
Pantheons[edit]
Adjassou-Linguetor
Adjinakou
Adya Houn'tò
Agaou
Agassou
Agwé
Anaisa Pye
Anmino
Ayida-Weddo
Ayizan
Azaka-Tonnerre
Bacalou
Badessy
Baron Samedi
Baron Kriminel
Belie Belcan
Boli Shah
Bossou Ashadeh
Boum'ba Maza
Brize
Bugid Y Aiba
Captain Debas
Clermeil
Congo
Damballa
Dan Petro
Dan Wédo
Demeplait
Deryale
Diable Tonnere
Diejuste
Dinclinsin
Erzulie
Filomez
Ghede
Ghede Linto
Ghede Loraj
Ghede Nibo
Ghede Doubye
Gran Maître
Grand Bois
Guinee
Jean Zombi
Joseph Danger
Joumalonge
Kalfu
Kapitan Zombi
Klemezin Klemay
Legba
Lemba
L'inglesou
La Sirène
Limba
Loco
Lovana
Mademoiselle Charlotte
Mait' Carrefour
Maîtresse Délai
Maîtresse Hounon'gon
Maman Brigitte
Marassa
Marassa Jumeaux
Marinette (Vodou)
Maroule
Mombu
Manze Marie
Mounanchou
Nago Shango
Ogoun
Papa Legba
Pie
Silibo
Simbi
Sobo
Sousson-Pannan
Senegal
Ti Kita
Ti Jean Quinto
Ti Malice
Ti Jean Petro
Wawe.
See also[edit]
Dahomey mythology
Haitian mythology
Paket kongo
Orisha
Nkisi
Alusi
Winti
References[edit]
^ Jump up to: a b Anthony B. Pinn. "The African American Religious Experience in America" Greenwood Press, 2005, pg 229. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "AnthonyPinn" defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ Jump up to: a b Kenaz Filan (10 November 2006). The Haitian Vodou Handbook: Protocols for Riding with the Lwa. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. p. 56. ISBN 978-1-59477-995-4. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Filan2006" defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
External links[edit]
Webster list of loa
[hide] v t e
Afro-American religion
Religions
Abakuá Candomblé (Bantu Jejé Ketu) Cuban Vodú Dominican Vudú Haitian Vodou Kumina Louisiana Voodoo Obeah Palo Quimbanda Santería Spiritual Baptist Umbanda Winti
Chiwara male drawing.png
Roots
Ifá Orisha (Yoruba) Loa (Fon and Ewe) Alusi (Igbo) Winti (Akan) Nkisi (Kongo) Roman Catholicism (France Portugal Spain Netherlands) Protestantism (England Netherlands) Indigenous American mythology
Categories: Vodou deitiesCaribbean mythology
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