Lwa- Page 4

Ezili names a family of freshwater spirits from Dahomey who are now among the most powerful and significant female spirits of Haitian Vodou. Their name derives from Lake Azili, which is approximately

Sometimes Damballah the world snake is not so calm and detached; sometimes the snake is fiery. Damballah La Flambeau (“Damballah the Torch”) may or may not be an aspect of Damballah, the

Once upon a time, there was only Damballah. He lay beneath Earth, a great snake, cushioning and protecting it from falling into the watery abyss below. Although he lay still for a

Clairmesine is a beautiful, sweet-voiced, dancing mermaid. She travels in the entourage of Ezili Freda Dahomey and may be her sister. Clairmesine may also be Vodou Saint Claire. The glowing monstrance with

Mademoiselle Charlotte : In Haitian voodoo, a loa (deified spirit of the dead) who manifests all the traits of a white European when she mounts or takes possession of a person during

Carrefour, Maitre – Master of the Crossroads Maitre Carrefour, master and guardian of the crossroads, may be the alter ego of Eshu Elegbara, his mirror image, shadow side, or nocturnal counterpart. Eshu

Candelo is an extremely popular Dominican lwa. Originating on the island of Hispaniola, comprising Haiti and the Dominican Republic, he is now well known throughout the Spanish Caribbean and the United States.

Candelina may be Candelo’s sister, wife, or female alter ego. The nature of her relationship with Candelo evokes strong feelings from devotees who argue passionately about whether she is wife or sister.

Brigitte, Madame Madame Brigitte is Queen of the Cemetery and Spirit World. She is married to Baron Samedi and is venerated and petitioned alongside him, especially for fertility and healing. The Baron

Bossu may descend from an ancient bull spirit who guards the King of Dahomey. Alternatively he may be of European descent, deriving from the triple-horned bull spirits once very popular in Pagan