Voodoo gods

I know that the loa live in the earth, in the rivers, under the sea, in the waters of the lake, in the sun when it rises or sets, in the seasons, in the harvests, in the smile of the stars…How could they not live eternally in the heart of men? Though it is creolized with elements from Catholicism and other African practices, voodoo gods, it has adapted voodoo gods practices to suit its need instead of adapting Vodou to suit the needs of Catholicism.

Numbering in their thousands, the lwa protect, guide, and heal the faithful followers of the voodoo tradition. Voodoo is a religion relatively unknown to outsiders. Perpetually shrouded in mystery, the small, diasporic religion of African origins is more often associated with devil-worship and witchcraft than it is recognized as a religion in its own right. But voodoo and its deities have been undermined and misunderstood for far too long. It is time to make some introductions. Contrary to popular opinion, voodoo has nothing to do with devil-worship.

Voodoo gods

The loa, or major divine beings of Voodoo, or Vodun, are spirits who serve as intermediaries between man and Bondye, the supreme Voodoo god. The loa, or lwa, appear in different families, including the Ghede, Petro, and Radha. They are typically considered lesser divine figures, with the supreme god being Bondye, the creator. Enslaved people in Haiti and Louisiana syncretized their loa with Catholic saints , and many of the loa have corresponding figures in Catholicism. They are called upon in ritual by Voodoo mambos or houngan, and are presented with offerings of food and drink before they are petitioned for assistance. In some African traditional religions, the orishas are worked with, in addition to or instead of the loa. The orishas are the human form of spirits found in the Yoruba belief systems. Bondye is the creator god found in the Voodoo religion, and the loa answer to him. The loa serve as intermediaries between man and Bondye, whose existence is far beyond human comprehension. Bondye is essentially unknowable to mankind, and doesn't meddle around in the affairs of mortals, so spiritual work is done with the loa instead. Papa Legba is the loa associated with the crossroads, and he serves as an intermediary between man and the spirit world. Legba has evolved in numerous ways from his origins in Africa. In some places, he is seen as a fertility god, portrayed with a large erect phallus.

He is the loa of death and resurrection; is known as a total voodoo gods loves cigarettes; is often seen smoking two at a time. She is associated with Saint Brigid of Kildare, and like her Catholic counterpart, she is thought to be a powerful healer and protector, particularly of women. Possession facilitates direct communication between voodoo gods lwa and its followers; [83] through the chwal, the lwa communicates with their devotees, voodoo gods, offering counsel, chastisement, blessings, warnings about the future, and healing.

He is one of the mythical creatures who once gave assistance to the Ancestor. He is considered one of the loa masons. It is said that when the earth tremors, Agau is angry. Those who are strong enough to keep him in their bodies are puffing with all their strength and sputtering like seals. One has to be very strong to harbor this spirit. He must be greeted with wet sponges and towels when leaving the water because of the heat. A barque is prepared with all sort of Agwe's favorite foods, including champagne.

There is much to learn about the many spirits that exist in Voodoo that are considered to be similar to Gods or lesser Gods. Learning about the deities and spirits in the religion of Voodoo is especially important when learning about the many customs and rituals performed in the religion. As you will come to notice, many of the aspects of Voodoo are tied into the figures that tie the religion together. In the Voodoo teachings of Haiti, New Orleans, and Africa, there is one supreme God and there are spirits that are beneath this God and above men. These Voodoo spirits are known as loa or lwas. There are other spirits that are known as orisha and come from the African teachings of Voodoo. There are 8 main Voodoo deities that you need to study in order to practice or celebrate the Vodou religion. In this article, you will learn the most important deities and spirits that exist in the religion of Vodou and how each individual impacts mankind. There are many different deities and spirits in the Voodoo religion, so it can be overwhelming to try and learn all of them at once.

Voodoo gods

Numbering in their thousands, the lwa protect, guide, and heal the faithful followers of the voodoo tradition. Voodoo is a religion relatively unknown to outsiders. Perpetually shrouded in mystery, the small, diasporic religion of African origins is more often associated with devil-worship and witchcraft than it is recognized as a religion in its own right. But voodoo and its deities have been undermined and misunderstood for far too long. It is time to make some introductions. Contrary to popular opinion, voodoo has nothing to do with devil-worship.

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Despite her flirtations and loving ways, Erzulie is a virgin. Legba: The Guardian Lwa of the Crossroads. Many scholars and authors view zombification as a metaphor for colonialism, and zombies continue to be one of the most feared beings in Haitian vodou. Ogoun is the deity of fire and "metallurgical elements" and red is his color. Offerings are typically made to the loa, which includes food and drink, and they are honored in ritual when the mambo or houngan calls them to the ceremony. Papa Legba Photo: Verdy Verna. The members of this family are great drinkers, but alcohol has no effect on them. He is one of the oldest of the ancestors and is so sacred that he doesn't speak, but expresses himself through hissing sounds, just like that of a serpent. It is believed that if respects are paid to him by a married couple, he will keep them happy. In some African traditional religions, the orishas are worked with, in addition to or instead of the loa.

Vodou or Voodoo is a monotheistic religion that is often misunderstood. Common in Haiti and New Orleans, Vodou merges Catholic and African beliefs to form a unique set of rituals that include Voodoo dolls and symbolic drawings.

We are reminded by him that our understanding of death and life is limited and that both are beyond our comprehension. It is Ogoun Ogu who is said to have planted the idea and led and given power to the slaves to the revolt and freedom. He is a much loved loa. Article Talk. Saints that were appropriated as loa were given personalities and attributes that were not from Biblical sources or Catholic traditions. So what are these Loas? Often depicted holding a knife, she symbolizes justice and will forcefully fight to protect her children, who are her loyal followers. The screeching owl is the emblem of Marinette. The Christian God was forced upon the ancestors of Haitian vodouisants when African peoples were taken from their homes and enslaved in the New World. Ogu-badagri by voodoo hymn, "throws" lightning and thunder.