The Loa of Haitian Vodou

On Nov. 2, Christians all over the world celebrate All Soul’s Day, the annual holiday to commemorate lost loved ones. Almost every culture has a version of this holiday, including Vodou, the religion of Haiti and its diaspora in the Americas. Vodou is often mischaracterized as black magic or Satanism, but the religion is actually an intrinsic part of Haitian culture.

Like many religions, Vodouists believe in a benevolent Supreme Creator named Bondye, actually derived from the French word Bon Dieu, meaning “good god.” Bondye cannot interact with humans, so devotees direct their prayers to Loa, spirits that roam the earth and are responsible for a particular aspect of life. These Loa are venerated on Haiti’s version of All Soul’s Day, called Fete Ghede, when all grants made by the spirits must be repaid.

Given its origins from Africa and adoption through the Caribbean and Americas, there are many different Loa according to the local customs. The following is a selected list of spirits commonly venerated on Fete Ghede.

Papa Ghede

Papa Ghede is depicted as the corpse of the first man who ever died, donning a high hat and a cigar and munching on apples as he escorts the departed to the afterlife. Known for his crass humor and clairvoyance, Papa Ghede is said to refuse to take a life before it is their time and is often prayed to when a child is sick.

Ghede Nibo

As the first person to die by violence, Ghede Nibo is the patron spirit of those who die an unnatural death or go missing, in addition to acting as an intermediary between the living and the dead. His horses, called chevals, are said to communicate the voices of those whose bodies have not been found.

Ghede Masaka and Ghede Oussou

Known as the twins, these two Loa are Haitian Voudou’s gravediggers gifted with divine insight. Masaka is depicted as an androgynous or transgender male who assists Ghede Nibo, while Oussou is his rum-loving brother dressed in opposite colors.

Baron Kriminel

The “Baron of Criminals” is known as the enforcer of the Loa. He is known as the first person murderer (possibly for killing Ghede Nibo) and a master of violence on others. Thus, he is known as the spirit of murder victims and the abused that send prayers to him asking for justice.