Spiritual Procession in Jacmel, Haiti Today

[Mambo Racine Sans Bout]

Today, November 1, is the Feast of All Saints. In Jacmel, this is the
day of the defilee spirituelle, the procession in honor of the
Ancestors. It is organized every year by the leading Houngans and
Mambos of Jacmel, and by AHOMASE, the Association of Houngans and
MAmbos of the South-East.

The procession begins in the morning, usually near the airfield
although sometimes at the other end of town, and it winds all through
the streets of Jacmel. At every major crossroads, Houngans and Mambos
advance to perform ceremonies. Very often a small "niche" altar will
have been set up. The hounsis are usually in white, the Houngans and
Mambos purple and black.

Eventually the procession arrives at the cemetery, where Maman
Brigitte and Baron are honored and the crowd disperses, going each to
the tombs of their own people. It's a beautiful murning, and then in
the evening Gede dances start.

November 2 is Fet Gede all over Haiti, and if you've never seen it you
haven't lived. If you are Haitian of course you know it.

I am here in Massachusetts sorrowing away, but my daughter Mambo,
Mambo Paula of New Zealand, is there for me.

:-)

Peace and love,

Mambo Racine
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