OT - Guédé (Vodou spirits)
Maev
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Guédé
In Haitian Vodou, the Guédé (also spelled Gede or Ghede, pronounced
[gede] in Haitian) are the family of spirits that embody the powers of
death and fertility. Guédé spirits include Ghede Masaka, Guédé Nibo,
Guédé Plumaj, Guédé Ti Malis, and Guédé Zaranye. All are known for the
drum rhythm and dance called the "banda". In possession, they will
drink or rub themselves with a mixture of raw rum or clairin and
twenty-one habanero or goat peppers.
Ghede Nibo is a psychopomp, an intermediary between the living and the
dead. He gives voice to the dead spirits that have not been reclaimed
from "below the waters".
Ghede Masaka assists Ghede Nibo. He is an androgynous male or
transgendered gravedigger and spirit of the dead, recognized by his
black shirt, white jacket, and white headscarf. Ghede Masaka carries a
bag containing poisonous leaves and an umbilical cord. Ghede Masaka is
sometimes depicted as the companion of Ghede Oussou. Both are
bisexual. Ghede Oussou is sometimes also linked with the female Ghede
L'Oraille. Ghede Oussou wears a black or mauve jacket marked on the
back with a white cross and a black or mauve headscarf. His name means
"tipsy" due to his love of white rum. [1].
Papa Ghede is supposed to be the corpse of the first man who ever
died. He is recognized as a short, dark man with a high hat on his
head, a cigar in his mouth, and an apple in his left hand. Papa Ghede
is a psychopomp who waits at the crossroads to take souls into the
afterlife. He is considered the good counterpart to Baron Samedi. If a
child is dying, Papa Ghede is prayed to. It is believed that he will
not take a life before its time, and that he will protect the little
ones. Papa Ghede has a very crass sense of humor, a divine ability to
read others' minds, and the ability to know everything that happens in
the worlds of the living and the dead. Ghede Bábáco is supposedly Papa
Ghede's less known brother and is also a psychopomp. His role is
somewhat similar to that of Papa Ghede, but he doesn't have the
special abilities of his brother.
The Guédé are closely associated with the loa Baron, whose aspects are
Baron Samedi, Baron La Croix and Baron Cimetière. Depending on the
tradition followed, Baron is:
one of the Guédé
their spiritual protector, who has raised them from the dead with the
help of Baron Samedi's woman, Maman Brigitte
or an aspect of the Guédé
In any of these configurations, Baron, Maman Brigitte, and the Guédé
rule death, the cemetery and the grave.
References
Voodoo: Search for the Spirit. Laennec Hurbon. Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
1995.
"Ghede" A Dictionary of World Mythology. Arthur Cotterell. Oxford
University Press, 1997.
^ "Queer Myth, Symbol & Spirit." Randy Conner, David Hatfield Sparks &
Mariya Sparks. Cassell, 1997.
[hide]v • d • e American religions with African roots
Religions Candomblé · Hoodoo · Kumina · Obeah · Palo · Quimbanda ·
Santería (Lukumí) · Spiritual Baptist · Umbanda · Haitian Vodou ·
Louisiana Voodoo · Winti · Abakua
Deities Babalu Aye · Eshu · Iansan · Mami Wata · Obàtálá · Ogun ·
Ọlọrun · Orunmila · Ọṣun · Shango · Yemaja
Roots West African Vodun · Ifá, Oriṣa (Yorùbá) · Lwa (Dahomey) · Nkisi
(Kongo) · Catholicism (Portugal, Spain)
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Categories: Vodou deities | African mythology | Haiti stubs | African
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Maev
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Baron Samedi
Depiction of Baron Samedi
Veve of Baron Samedi
Baron Samedi (Baron Saturday, also Baron Samdi, Bawon Samedi, or Bawon
Sanmdi) is one of the loa of Haitian Vodou. Samedi is a loa of the
dead, along with Baron's numerous other incarnations Baron Cimetière,
Baron La Croix, and Baron Kriminel. He is usually depicted with a
white top hat, black tuxedo, dark glasses, and cotton plugs in the
nostrils, as if to resemble a corpse dressed and prepared for burial
in the Haitian style. He has a white, frequently skull-like face (or
actually has a skull for a face) and speaks in a nasal voice. He is
the head of the Guédé family of Loa, or an aspect of them, or possibly
their spiritual father. His wife is the loa Maman Brigitte. 'Samedi'
means 'Saturday' in French, though there are alternate etymologies
offered.
Baron Samedi stands at the crossroads, where the souls of dead humans
pass on their way to Guinee. He is a sexual loa, frequently
represented by phallic symbols and he noted for disruption, obscenity,
debauchery, and having a particular fondness for tobacco and rum.
Additionally, he is the loa of sex and resurrection, and in the latter
capacity he is often called upon for healing by those near or
approaching death, as it is only Baron who can accept an individual
into the realm of the dead. He is considered a wise judge, and a
powerful magician.
Voodoo deities, or loas, are among the most feared divine beings in
the world. Wild, short-tempered and immensly powerful, these spirits
demand to be served by human kind. Those who obey are granted wishes
and good health, but those who do not can meet a terrifying fate at
the hands of their gods. Baron Samedi is the most famous, and most
frightening, of these spirits. A huge skeleton dressed in a dark coat
or cape with a top hat and spade, the Baron is the infamous master of
the dead who escorts their souls from the graveyard to the underworld.
But the Baron does not concern himself with corpses - he can enter the
realm of the living and force people to do his terrible bidding.
Baron Samedi spends most of his time in the invisible realm of voodoo
spirits. He is notorious for his outrageous behavior, swearing
continuously and making filthy jokes to the other spirits. He is
married to another powerful spirit known as Mama Brigitte, but often
chases after mortal women. He loves smoking and drinking and is rarely
seen without a cigar in his mouth or a glass of rum in his bony
fingers. Baron Samedi can usually be found at the crossroad between
the worlds of the living and the dead. When someone dies he digs their
grave and greets their soul after they have been buried, leading them
to the underworld. He also ensures all corpses rot in the ground to
stop any soul being brought back as a brainless zombie. The Baron has
a legion of spirits under his control. These lesser spirits, all
dressed like the Baron and all are as rude and crude as their master.
They help carry the dead to the underworld.
As well as being master of the dead, he is also a giver of life. He
can cure any mortal of any disease or wound, if he thinks it is
worthwhile. His powers are especially great when it comes to voodoo
curses and black magic. Even if somebody has been inflicted by a hex
which brings them to the verge of death, they will not die if the
Baron refuses to dig their grave. So long as this mighty spirit keeps
them out of the ground they are safe. What he demands in return
depends on his mood. Sometimes he is content with his followers
wearing black, white or purple clothes or using sacred objects; he may
simply ask for a small gift of cigars, rum, black coffee, grilled
peanuts or bread. But sometimes the Baron asks for a voodoo ceremony
to help him cross over into this world - a high-risk time for anyone
wanting his help. Baron Samedi is one of the few Voodoo spirits that
can cross from the realm of the dead to the realm of the living
without a ritual - but as it is a draining process he rarely does. If
he is in a good mood he may grant his followers everlasting life, but
if he is in a bad mood he may dig their graves too soon and bury them
alive or bring them back as a mindless zombie.
References
Voodoo: Search for the Spirit. Laennec Hurbon. Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
1995. "Ghede"
A Dictionary of World Mythology. Arthur Cotterell. Oxford University
Press, 1997. "Vodou".
The Voodoo Gods. Maya Deren. Granada Publishing Limited 1975.
External links
- The Power to Awaken the Dead
- A Virtual Vodou Altar
- Haitian Vodoun Culture
- The Dead: Baron, Brijit and Gede
v • d • eAmerican religions with African roots
Religions Candomblé · Hoodoo · Kumina · Obeah · Palo · Quimbanda ·
Santería (Lukumí) · Spiritual Baptist · Umbanda · Haitian Vodou ·
Louisiana Voodoo · Winti · Abakua
Deities Babalu Aye · Eshu · Iansan · Mami Wata · Obàtálá · Ogun ·
Ọlọrun · Orunmila · Ọṣun · Shango · Yemaja
Roots West African Vodun · Ifá, Oriṣa (Yorùbá) · Lwa (Dahomey) · Nkisi
(Kongo) · Catholicism (Portugal, Spain)
References in Popular Culture
"Baron Saturday." The Pretty Things. "S.F. Sorrow." Original Masters,
1968.
"Lover Of The Bayou." The Byrds. "Untitled." Columbia Records, 1970.
"James Bond 007: Live and Let Die," 1973. In the film, he at first
appears during a party and is assumed to be merely a performer in
costume. However, at a later point in the film, he literally rises
from a grave as a seemingly unstoppable spirit. Even his 'death' be
being trapped in a coffin full of poisonous snakes is contradicted by
a scene of him looking at the audience at the very end of the film.
"Baron Samedi" Song 10CC 1974.
"American Gods" by Neil Gaiman, 2001.
"Saints Row 2" Video Game, 2008. One of the gangs is known as the Sons
of Samedi. Most wear rastafarian clothes along with their green gang
color. Their lieutenant, Mr. Sunshine, fights the player with a voodoo
doll and machete and, when defeated, a cutscene is shown where he
survives being shot multiple times.
"Witches Abroad" by Terry Pratchett, 1991.
Unlockable character in Nintendo 64 game, "GoldenEye 007". Entering
the code ↑↑↓↓←→←→BA would remove his trousers, and he would yell his
catchphrase, "it's zombie time".
There is a guarana energy drink named Samedi in the description it
says "He Passed through the edge of darkness to find a potion more
powerful than life. When found, it delivered such intense energy that
it is believed to have the strength to awaken the dead."
An episode of the British comedy show The Mighty Boosh features the
Spirit of Jazz, an ethereal being who wears a white tuxedo, white
skeletal face make up, dreadlocks and (in one scene) a flaming top
hat. The same character appears in a later episode as the Jazz Virus.
Sugar Hill (1974 film) Protagonist Diana Hill calls on Baron Zamedi to
help her gain revenge on her boyfriend's killers.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Samedi"
Categories: Vodou gods | Death gods
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Samedi
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Maev
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Papa Legba
Veve of Papa Legba
Papa Legba is the master linguist, the trickster, warrior, and the
personal messenger of destiny. In Haitian Vodou, Papa Legba is the
intermediary between the loa and humanity. He stands at a spiritual
crossroads and gives (or denies) permission to speak with the spirits
of Guinee, and is believed to speak all human languages.
He is always the first and last spirit invoked in any ceremony[1],
because his permission is needed for any communication between mortals
and the loa - he opens and closes the doorway.
In Haiti, he is the great elocution, the voice of God, as it were.
Legba facilitates communication, speech and understanding. In the
Yoruba pantheon, honored in Nigeria, Cuba, Brazil, and elsewhere in
the Yoruba diaspora, Ellegua is mostly associated with Papa Legba
since both share the role of being the god of the crossroads. In
contrast to Papa Legba, however, Eleggua is a trickster child.
Legba also shares similarities to Orunmila, the orisha of prophesy who
taught mankind how to use the mighty oracle Ifá. He usually appears as
an old man on a crutch or with a cane, wearing a broad brimmed straw
hat and smoking a pipe, or sprinkling water[2]. The dog is sacred to
him.
Because of his position as 'gate-keeper' between the worlds of the
living and the mysteries he is often identified with Saint Peter who
holds a comparable position in Catholic tradition. But he is also
depicted in Haiti as St. Lazarus, or St. Anthony[3].
In Benin and Nigeria, Legba is viewed as young and virile, is often
horned and phallic, and his shrine is usually located at the gate of
the village in the countryside.
Alternative: Legba, Legba Atibon, Atibon Legba, Ati-Gbon Legba.
Papa Legba in popular culture
The musical groups Talking Heads, Angel Band, Sun City Girls, and Sun
God have made songs named after him. The Talking Heads song can be
found on their album (and soundtrack to the David Byrne film of the
same name), True Stories; the Talking Heads song has been covered
regularly by Widespread Panic, whose performance of the song can be
heard on their live album, Light Fuse, Get Away.
There is also reference to Legba in the 1986 movie Crossroads, the
blues movie referencing the old story of Robert Johnson selling his
soul to the Devil at the Crossroads in Mississippi. The Devil is
initially referred to as Legba, but later changes his name to Scratch.
There is extensive referencing to Voodoo in the Sprawl trilogy by
William Gibson. In the second book, "Count Zero", Papa Legba stands at
the gateway to cyberspace the "master of roads and pathways". Papa
Legba and Voodoo appear again in Gibson's "Spook Country".[4]
References
^ Pantheon.org: Legba
^ Pantheon.org: Depiction of Papa Legba
^ Gede.org: Legba symbols and associations
^ The Boston Globe: Q&A with William Gibson
American religions with African roots
Religions Candomblé · Hoodoo · Kumina · Obeah · Palo · Quimbanda ·
Santería (Lukumí) · Spiritual Baptist · Umbanda · Haitian Vodou ·
Louisiana Voodoo · Winti · Abakua
Deities Babalu Aye · Eshu · Iansan · Mami Wata · Obàtálá · Ogun ·
Ọlọrun · Orunmila · Ọṣun · Shango · Yemaja
Roots West African Vodun · Ifá, Oriṣa (Yorùbá) · Lwa (Dahomey) · Nkisi
(Kongo) · Catholicism (Portugal, Spain)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Legba"
Categories: Vodou gods | Crossroads mythology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papa_Legba
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Mike
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> Guédé
>
> In Haitian Vodou, the Guédé (also spelled Gede or Ghede, pronounced
> [gede] in Haitian) are the family of spirits that embody the powers of
> death and fertility. Guédé spirits include Ghede Masaka, Guédé Nibo,
> Guédé Plumaj, Guédé Ti Malis, and Guédé Zaranye. All are known for the
> drum rhythm and dance called the "banda". In possession, they will
> drink or rub themselves with a mixture of raw rum or clairin and
> twenty-one habanero or goat peppers.
MM:
Habanero is the hottest of all peppers, I believe. I wonder if Vodou
originated in Africa?
> Ghede Nibo is a psychopomp, an intermediary between the living and the
> dead. He gives voice to the dead spirits that have not been reclaimed
> from "below the waters".
MM:
I follow this. The dead can speak, but they are in astral bodies.
> Ghede Masaka assists Ghede Nibo. He is an androgynous male or
> transgendered gravedigger and spirit of the dead, recognized by his
> black shirt, white jacket, and white headscarf. Ghede Masaka carries a
> bag containing poisonous leaves and an umbilical cord. Ghede Masaka is
> sometimes depicted as the companion of Ghede Oussou. Both are
> bisexual. Ghede Oussou is sometimes also linked with the female Ghede
> L'Oraille. Ghede Oussou wears a black or mauve jacket marked on the
> back with a white cross and a black or mauve headscarf. His name means
> "tipsy" due to his love of white rum. [1].
MM:
Uh Huh.
MM:
All right, Maev. It's interesting.
Michael Martin
Mike
MM:
These barons probably actually appear to the followers of Vodou. I
have no reason to doubt the descriptions of them, nor to doubt their
duties.
Michael Martin
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Mike
> On Jun 14, 9:33 pm, Maev wrote:
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> Papa Legba
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> Veve of Papa Legba
>
> Papa Legba is the master linguist, the trickster, warrior, and the
> personal messenger of destiny. In Haitian Vodou, Papa Legba is the
> intermediary between the loa and humanity. He stands at a spiritual
> crossroads and gives (or denies) permission to speak with the spirits
> of Guinee, and is believed to speak all human languages.
>
> He is always the first and last spirit invoked in any ceremony[1],
> because his permission is needed for any communication between mortals
> and the loa - he opens and closes the doorway.
MM:
Interesting.
> In Haiti, he is the great elocution, the voice of God, as it were.
> Legba facilitates communication, speech and understanding. In the
> Yoruba pantheon, honored in Nigeria, Cuba, Brazil, and elsewhere in
> the Yoruba diaspora, Ellegua is mostly associated with Papa Legba
> since both share the role of being the god of the crossroads. In
> contrast to Papa Legba, however, Eleggua is a trickster child.
>
> Legba also shares similarities to Orunmila, the orisha of prophesy who
> taught mankind how to use the mighty oracle Ifá. He usually appears as
> an old man on a crutch or with a cane, wearing a broad brimmed straw
> hat and smoking a pipe, or sprinkling water[2]. The dog is sacred to
> him.
MM:
Hmmmm, sacrificing a dog to him?
MM:
It's interesting, Maev. Universal Mind can take any form, speak any
language, etc. There are beings who meet the dead, and carry them to
their destination. This is the Vodou version. I've never read this
much about Vodou, previously. Thanks
Michael Martin
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Mike
MM:
My mistake. Dogs are sort of sacred, with respect to the 8 million
forms (species, chaurasi) lower than humans. They've been called,
"Man's best friend."
Michael Martin
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