Houngan Hector

Whenever I hear or see anyone claiming to be the a Vodou Master, Guru, or Adept, I often fall on the floor laughing. What these individuals fail to realize is that the Lwa are known as Miste for a reason. It is because no matter how much you know, there is always more to learn. They are mysterious. Each individual Lwa is a Mystery with more depth than we can imagine.

By calling oneself a Master or Guru, one has assumed the level of thinking that he/she knows it all. As such, this individual’s mind becomes closed to knew thoughts, ideas, and learning. He/she closes him/herself off to learning more, as he/she thinks they already know it all. No One can know everything that is Vodou. It is too wide, too deep, and too much. A lifetime is certainly not long enough to know everything.

You can be a master pianist, a master typist, etc. But how can you master something you will never know everything about? Simple you can’t. One can have alot of knowledge, a lot of expierence and be a very good Vodouisant. One cannot however be a Master!

In Vodou, one never stops learning. Everyday there is something new to learn. Knowledge is scattered all over the world. Everyone holds a small piece. As such, all of this would need to be gathered together to really “know” if that were even possible.

The Indian Division makes up 1/3 of the the biggest divisions within Dominican Vodou. This division is highly neglected, however, so very little accurate information can actually be found on this division. I hope to clarify and enlighten you on this mysterious, powerful, yet rarely served Division.

The Indian Division is often referred to as Agua Dulce (Sweet Water) and these Misterios often work with water. The leaders of this Agua Dulce Division are Caonabo and Anacaona. During a Bautizo, the initiate to be is taken to a river to receive the punto of this Division. The point bestows clarity, clarifies spiritual abilities, prosperity, and healing. We also work with this division for those things above as well as spiritual cleansings.

This is a beautiful Division with many different Lwas within it. Mainly the Indians served are Taino, although there were other lesser known Indians on the island of Hispanola. We serve this division often by giving them servicios (services) of sweet fruit, incense, fresh water and candles.

Caonabo was a chief among the Manguana tribe and his wife was the princess Anacaona. Caonabo died when captured, and Anacaona was hanged by the Spanish. Anacaona is now served, in Domincan Vodou, as one of the vueltas (paths) of Anaisa.

Like Anaisa, Anacaona loves perfume. As such we serve her by pouring perfume on her statue or sometimes sprinkling it around her. She is served with beer in the same manner as Anaisa is, and is given a red candle. Some will light a lamp in her honor. Like I said, this Division is highly neglected.

Tin Djo Alagwe is highly known in the Division as well. He is associated with San Rafael. This is because of this angel’s connection to water and healing. He is given light blue and pink fulas (kerchiefs). He is given beer as well and cigars. He is also fed with baked fish often herring in particular. He is a fine healer within this division.

Indio De La Paz, or the Indian of Peace, is also served here. We give him a cigar and rum. He often sings when in possession. He will sit on the floor with a great chief’s hat (you know as typically seen with many feathers). He is served with the color white, although he is sometimes also given light green.

Carmelina Dan Soley is yet another, lesser known, part of this Division. She is served with bright yellows, golden colors, and orange. She prefers oranges, pineapples, grapefruit. She is given beer and some give her cigarettes instead of cigars. She is also served with perfume.

Indio Bravo or Guerrero is the Brave Indian Warrior of the Division. He is served with dark Green and Red. He is often seen holding a double headed axe, although there are also images of him with bows and arrows. When he comes, the horses eyes will often be crossed, though not always. He smokes cigars and drinks dark rum.

There are many others within this division. Some of them are Enriquillo, Gamao, Carmela, Carmelo, India del Agua Azul, Mencia, Tamayo, etc.

The Indians are also kept away from the other Divisions. They don’t mix in with them, as such they are often kept away from the altar, and have their own altar. Sometimes, they are kept in a different location all together. People will take a clay jar and place seven stones from a river within it. Filled half with water, this jar is kept perfumed and sometimes decorated with various items, such as seeds, ribbons, beads, etc. Some individuals will place different herbs inside the water to attract the Indians. Others add perfume and flowers inside. This often reflects the messages given by the Indians as to what is put inside. Some Houses have very specific items to place in the clay jar.

The Indians are given cigars to smoke. They eat cornmeal, love sweet smelling incenses (such as fruit based or often copal resin), fresh fruit and flowers. Water is always present. They are given vegetables such as yucca, yams, bread, and other vegetables of an earthy quality. We will also gie them rum, which they are highly fond of. Certain Indians are known to drink beer instead.

Refresco De Cabeza/Lavado De Cabeza-

This ceremony is done to do exactly as it says, refresh and wash the head. This ceremony gives the head clarity, clarifying the Lwa of the Head and the other Mysterios that the person may have with him or her. It elevates the powers of the Lwa of that Head, making the head a place that is more frequented by possessions from the Misterios and making those possessions less violent.

In this ceremony, the Papa Boko or Mama Mambo has prepared the Badji for the refresco of the new initiate. They have properly serviced it and all the proper items are present. The Lwa will be invoked. From then, the recipient will then kneel in front of the altar. The person is cleansed in a special way with various items from the altar. The person’s fulas are present in order to give them more “fuerza” (power). Usually they number seven, and these are very important in Dominican Vodou.

Then the Lwa will mount the Papa Boko and from that point will start to invoke the ruler of the recipients head. Many times the recipient will become possessed at this point. Then the Lwa will proceed to cleanse the individual and elevate all the services unto the recipients head. The Misterio will usually do this while making secret invocations and prayers.

At times, different Lwa may decide to show up and give their puntos. A punto is a point, and will give more power to that individual. The person will then be kneeling over a large basin. Their head will be washed as the Lwa makes prayers for the individual.

A secretive bath is made. This is given to the new initiate to take the morning after the ceremony. The person will have a white fula tied to their head for a number of days, depending on that person’s Lwases. Usually it can be from 3 to 7 days. The participant takes a portion of the services for each Misterio home. At home they will continue to do a ritual with this until their restriction time is over.

The Aplasamiento serves to settle the Lwa in the recipient’s head in an even firmer and more grounded manner. This assists the person against attacks by malevelont magic, strengthens the Lwa by giving them a better foundation to possess the individual. The head is fed making it more grounded and powerful in the individual.

Within this ceremony, a refresco is done but with much more intensity. The Lwa perform secretive rituals on the head of the new initiate. The Lwa will use animals in addition to do special ceremonies to the individuals head, unlike the refresco where no animals are used.

A special punto is given to the individual to empower them further and give them a special form of protection. One of the Lwa from the Black Division will come to give their point as well, clearing out any obstacles the individual may have in getting possessed.

Services are taken to their proper destinations. In some places, one is required to sleep in the Badji, in others the Papa Boko will give the individuals services to place in their badji at home and have them sleep there. The participant receives a special bottle that will have a special significance to him/her. The person then goes home and follows their restrictions for the required time.

Bautizo-

In the Bautizo, the recipient undergoes all the ceremonies necessary for that individual to have the Misterios grounded within them in the strongest possible manner. In this, the Misterios have taken a deep root within the individual and are firmly planted. Individuals who have undergone the Bautizo have the privelege to call themselves Papa Boko or Mama Mambo, but they do not have the right to do so.

What does that mean? In Dominican Vodou, that is a title that is earned. The title to the individual does not come through the initiation itself, but through learning, expierence, knowledge and good work. One must earn themselves this right, and as such the ceremony itself does not confer the title. One must have confirmation from the Misterios to use this title, usually they will come into the person’s dream but also will confirm with the person’s Madrina or Padrino (Godparents).

The Bautizo also completely develops an individuals spiritual abilities in a safe, effective, powerful and quick way. It ties all the spiritual forces into the person’s head as well keeping them there for the rest of his or her life. It extends the person’s powers to a great degree.

The ceremony is conducted by the main initiator who will choose a number of assistants, who are also Papa Bokos or Mama Mambos. This can range from 2-7, although 3,4,7 are the more common, but not always. The ceremony can range from 3-9 days. Many will prefer to take their people to the Dominican Republic for these ceremonies although it is not necessary. The reason for this is that assistants are easier to find, necessary items are very easy to find, and in essence it is easy and comfort that makes these demands. Everything that is necessary can be found here and the initiation can, and often is, done here in the US.

A table that is referred to as a Mani will be built for the ceremony. It will have all the services for all the Lwa. The baptism ceremony will take place at many places, as for this initiation one must receive many puntos and will need to travel a lot. Certain puntos are given to all people. These are that of the Indian Division, which is given at a river, that of the Baron, which is done in the cemetary, and the punto of the Petro Lwa which is done at night in the woods. Other puntos will vary according to the individual and his or her Lwa.

At one point in the ceremony, those conducting it along with the Padrino/Madrina will invoke possession into the initiate. This is a very important point, because during this time the individual will receive many many secrets. The Misterios are baptized into the head of the individual.

During the ceremony, many sacrifices will occur. This is to feed the Lwa, strengthen them, and fortify all the forces that are being tied into the head of the individual. The initiate close to the end, receives the simple refresco de cabeza. Along with it secret infusions will be used as well. Then a small celebration will end the ceremony, in which different Lwa will mount to salute and recognize the initiate. Attendees are usually close family and friends.

The initiate will then be under strict rules for the forty one days to follow. He or she will have to observe certain taboos. The new initiate receives during his or her ceremony the jarro, the tcha tcha, his/her fulas, and a secretive bottle that holds much power for the initiate. After the 41 days, the initiate will make a small mani for his or her Misterios at home.

She arrives in the form of a snake. Cleansing the environment, she will circle around men and clean their “auras” making them more desirable to the opposite sex. Metres Lubana has arrived, and she does not speak. People within the Societe will pick up her messages telepathically and know what to do. She will make her way to the front door cleansing the environment of any negativity.

This beautiful and powerful Metresa is represented by Saint Martha the Dominator. She is a powerful Lwa of the black division and works with the Baron Del Cementerio. She is hot, she is wild, she is powerful. She is known for her ability to dominate a man, an enemy or any uncontrollable situation. Her powers come from the ground up and she lives in the cemetary.

Many oil lamps have been lit under her aegis. She is popularly known throughout the Carribean for working with this powerful form of magic resolving problem after problem. She is serviced with dark colors and prefers purple, green, black and dark red. Her services are kept on the floor, as she is a snake and that is where she will come to get them.

When she mounts and while taking care of her in the badji, her children will offer her a plate with coffee grounds, a brown egg, and honey poured over it. She will also be offered a Malta. Many give her black coffee without sugar on Mondays. Her feast day is July 29th.

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In the 21 divisions, we use the image of Saint James the Greater for Ogun Balendyo. He is a family man and is married to Metres Ezili who is also sometimes called MetresEzili Balendyo. He has a sister known as Ofelia Balendyo who is often seen accompanying him.

He is seen as an old man. Thus he rarely mounts. When he does mount, he is a very serious and well respected Lwa. He speaks in an almost inaudible voice, smokes a cigar and drinks red wine. He favors the color blue. He is the leader of the Ogunes, and is very respected by them as well. The nation of Oguns are very large, yet out of all the Lwa in that nation, there are seven who are mostly recognized.

When he mounts, it must be silent. He will mount when a mani is made or a party for him is held. He is known to be a great healer and can heal with his hands in an instant. He will be given his fula, his cape if there is one, a cigar and wine or rum. He will advise the Societe and then he’d prefer to leave. He will salute those present, but often will leave and allow another Lwa to come in his place. He is usually very tired.

He fights battles for his children. He is a great protector and often a reguardo can be found in an altar prepared for him. There will also be his machete, his image, his wine and cigars. Servants of this Lwa light blue candles for him.

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In Dominican Vodou, Papa Legba is the cosmic gate keeper as he is in Haitian Vodou. He is saluted first, although not a spirit that usually mounts. He is seen as an old man, in the same manner of Haitian Vodou, and usually wears clothes made out of potato sack material. He is the leader of all the divisions.

He is seen as an old man, hunched over when he arrives in possession. He wears a straw hat and is given a cane to help him walk. He will then be given red wine or tafia and a cigar to smoke. Most people will also give him a brown fula. He speaks in a very low voice and usually does not stay for long. This is because he is a great force and thus a human body cannot sustain him for long periods of time.

Papa Legba is associated with Saint Anthony of Padou. His services include hot chocolate, rum, tafia, red wine, and bread. He is given keys to open the doors. A macuto to keep his things and sometimes a cross. Some people also occasionally feed him rice and corn.

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Gede is known for sending other fresh dead to do his work. He is scandalous. While they are doing his work, he is playing cards, dancing, going to dice games. Papa Gede is known for his cussing and crude honesty. To say that Papa Gede is crude is an under statement.

Unlike Haitian Vodou, Papa Gede rarely comes to consult in Dominican Vodou. Usually he will come to receive his offering or if he has something very important to say in particular to someone. He may give out winning lotto numbers if he so desires.

As in Haiti, he watches over children. He also loves to eat, and loves his money. He is stingy with his food and does not care to share it with others. In reality, Papa Gede in Dominican Vodou and Brav Gede of Haitian Vodou are not that different at all. As such, I will direct you to the pages already created under the Vodou section of the site to read more about Gede.

In Dominican Vodou, it is Baron Del Cementerio that allows passage from spiritual to physical worlds. While Legba is still served and he is the gate keeper, it is Baron that is way more popular and also a gate keeper in his own right. Papa Legba rarely mounts, instead Baron comes to open the way for the spiritual world.

Baron Del Cemeterio is served with the image of Saint Elijah of Mount Carmel. He is served with black and white, and his fula is usually black with a white cross sewn in the center. Others may use a white cloth with a black cross instead. But, either way, it is black and white and includes a cross.

When he mounts the horse’s body is knocked out cold. It is stiff and is laid on the ground. Baron’s fula is placed on his head and stomach. A cross is placed over top of this and then the congregation will begin to pray an Our Father, Hail Mary, etc. . . . Baron foams at the mouth and as he is in possession and the prayer being said, his stomach will slowly lift. He mounts for a very short period of time, usually not lasting more than two minutes.

Thus Baron has removed all obstacles that may lie ahead and the party/work may commence. Some people will whisper their desires while Baron is in the head. He does not eat or speak at all. Afterwards, the Horse will recover and other spirits will be able to mount.

Baron is married to La Barona. She is his wife, although he still flirts with other women, and she is known for being a very powerful witch. She carries around a straw bag with which she does her magic. Papa Bokos and Mama Mambos know many secret works that are done in the cemetery with Baron and Barona.

Baron has Gede to work for him. Papa Gede, in Dominican Vodou, digs the graves for the dead. He is also known for his laid back attitude. But Baron also has a number of other Centinelas (Messengers) that are there in the cemetery keeping him always informed.

He is served to destroy enemies, remove obstacles, reverse malefic works, send the dead, get debts paid, and more. We take his works to the cemetery. His is the grave of the first dead man in any and all cemeteries.

We service Baron at his altar on Mondays. Here he is often found to be represented by a cross or a skull with a fula tied around it. He will be offered black coffee without sugar and a small white candle. We pray an Our Father as we smoke a cigar in his honor. He is also offered gin. Baron is also known to have a machete that you may find in his altar as well.

To feed him we will have a moro cooked. This is black beans cooked with white rice. We will place cassava bread and smoked herring. We place a orange sliced in four with a white candle in the center. Platanos (baked plantains) cut in little slices and baked sweet potatoes. He likes roasted peanuts, coffee, corn, coconut, money and sesame seeds.

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Belie Belcan, associated with Saint Michael, is the defender of truth, justice, and everything that is right. He defends us against our enemies and defeats them for us, just as he defeated the devil. He is seen as a short old man who holds a machete in one hand. He has a limp in his right leg, due to all the battles he has fought.

When he mounts, the horse never falls to the ground. Belie will then tie a green fula on his head and a red one across his chest. He is given his cigar which he puffs on contentedly, and given his tafia. Some houses also give him a green and red cloak that he may don.

He is commonly called upon to prepare resguardos (protections) for people. He is known to work with Candelo in order to do strong jobs for people. Many times Belie leaves and Candelo is the one who replaces him. They are compadres (like best friends) and the only time they fight would be in order to claim the head of a new caballo.

He is a gentleman with women and sometimes acts a little shy. He is known to work with Anaisa Pye and one will always find them next to each other in a Dominican Badji. They assist each other in the destruction of evil wanga.

Even though he is old, he has some very fast reflexes. He is quick to punish his servants for their misdeeds. He is very protective over his children. He will dispense wise advice and is very understanding of human frailties. Speaking in a low voice, he will let you know when you have done wrong. He has been known to destroy altars.

To serve Belie, you should give him a glass of rum and a cigar. An image of St. Michael should be there. His colors are red and green. Revocations can be done with him. Revocations are works that return the evil to the sender. They are usually done by filling a clear glass with some item inside the glass (depending on the type of work, Misterio, and other things) then a saucer is placed over the top. This is flipped over and a candle is lit on the bottom of the glass. Revocations prayers are made for a number of days depending on the revocation being done.

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The most beautiful Metresa of the 21 divisions is by far Metres Ezili. Commonly known in Haiti as Ezili Freda, Metres Ezili is a Lwa of Love and Prosperity. Just as in Haiti, in the 21 Divisions she is served with the image of Mater Dolorosa. You will find that in this method she is commonly served with white, light blue and light pink.

During a party for the Divisions, she must be the first one to mount. Otherwise you will not find her present amongst the guests. She dislikes the smell of strong alcohol, cigars and cigarettes, and as such she will not come if those have been recently present. She is extremely pure and delicate and will not tolerate any type of dirtiness around her.

She doesn’t usually stay in possession for long. She is very delicate, and makes sure that her feet do not touch ground. For this reason, we lay down a clean white sheet for her to stand and enjoy the party. We also assure that everyone who desires to speak to her washes their hands. Some houses use straight perfume, others make a special hand wash for this purpose.

She won’t mount just anyone either! It must be one who serves her well and pays her the attention she demands. The person must be extremely clean and well dressed for her to decide to mount him or her. The person must have not had any sexual relations for at least three days. They must have bathed that day, especially right before the ceremony. There is also a special bath that can be given to increase the chances of her possessing a particular person.

She salutes individuals by giving a special handshake with her pinkies. She does not do consultations during her possessions. She will bestow premonitions. She may speak a little over what she desires. During possession, she will be found weeping. She is saddened by the manner in which we choose to live.

She is served on Thursdays. She is the wife of Ogoun Balendjo (Santiago) and is usually seen on an altar right beside him. She is attended with a glass of champagne, fine perfumes and women’s powders, a red soda pop, and a pink candle lit in her honor. Jewelry and a mirror are always present, and she enjoys sweet foods.

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