Loa

[Kuro]

Nanchons of Loa
There are many families or "nanchons" (nations) of Loa - Rada (also Radha), Petro (also Pethro, Petwo), Nago, Kongo and Ghede (also Guede, or Gede) to name but a few.

Rada Loa
The Rada Loa are generally the older, more beneficent spirits, and are associated with the gods of Africa. They include Legba, Loko, Ayizan, Anaisa Pye, Dhamballah Wedo and Ayida-Weddo, Erzulie Freda, La Sirène, and Agwe. Their traditional colour is white (as opposed to the specific colours of individual Loa).

Petro Loa
The Petro Loa are generally the more fiery, occasionally aggressive and warlike Loa, and are associated with Haiti and the New World. They include Ezili Dantor, Marinette, and Met Kalfu (Maitre Carrefour, "Master Crossroads"). Their traditional colour is red.

Kongo Loa
Originating from the Congo region of Africa, these spirits include the many Simbi loa, it also includes the much dreaded Marinette, a fierce and much feared female loa.

Nago
Originating from Nigeria (specifically the Yoruba speaking tribes) this nanchon includes many of the Ogoun spirits.

Ghede Loa
The Ghede are the spirits of the dead. They are traditionally led by the Barons (La Croix, Samedi, Cimitière, Kriminel), and Maman Brigitte. The Ghede as a family are loud, rude (although rarely to the point of real insult), sexual, and usually a lot of fun. As those who have lived already, they have nothing to fear, and frequently will display how far past consequence and feeling they are when they come through in a service - eating glass, raw chillis, and anointing their sensitive areas with chilli rum for example. Their traditional colours are black and purple.

[Kuro]

List of Loa
This is not a full list of Loa and is more of an idea to help you get a feel for the Loa in the vaudun sense. Feel free to use these or to come up with similiar ones should the need arise.


Adjassou-Linguetor
In West African Vodun Adjassou-Linguetor is a loa with protruding eyes and a bad temper. She governs spring water.

Adjinakou
In Vodou and especially in Haiti, Adjinakou is an elephant loa. Adjinakou is also known as Agaou L'Ephant and is of the Rada loa Family.

Adya Houn'tò
In West African Vodun Adya Hount'tò is a loa associated with drumming.

Agassou
In the Vodou religion, Agassou (also Ati-A-Sou) is a loa, or deity, who guards the old traditions of Dahomey. The Rada Lwa of Haitian Vodou. His day is Thursday and his colors are brown and gold. Hougan (ou'k bon) meaning "you are the righteous one" or the Mambo will invoke Agassou when money is needed in the temple, his specialty is making money out of cigarettes.

Agwe
In Vodou, and especially in Haiti, Agwé, also spelt Agoueh, is a loa who rules over the sea, fish, and aquatic plants, as well as the patron loa of fishermen and sailors. He is considered to be married to Erzulie Freda and La Sirene. His colours are white, blue and occasionally brown. He goes by several titles, including "The Angel in the Mirror" and "The Tadpole in the Pond".

Anaisa Pye
Anaisa Pye (alternatively, Anaisa Pie, Anaisa Pie Danto, or Anaisa La Chiquita) is a very popular loa within Dominican Vodou. She is considered the patron saint of love, money, and general happiness within the 21 Divisions. She is often considered extremely flirtatious, generous, and playful by her devotees. She is also very jealous of the worship of other female loas, as she considers herself able to provide for anything a person could request. Her feast day is celebrated on 26 July and her favorite colors are yellow and pink.

Anmino

Ayida-Weddo
In Vodou, especially in Benin and Haiti, Aida-Weddo (also Ayida-Wedo, Aido Quedo) is a loa of fertility, rainbows and snakes, and a companion or wife to Damballah-Wedo. Ayida-Weddo is known as the Rainbow Serpent.

Ayizan
In Vodou, and especially in Haiti, Ayizan (also Grande Ai-Zan, Aizan, or Ayizan Velekete) is the loa of the marketplace and commerce.

She is a racine, or root Loa, associated with Vodoun rites of initiation (called kanzo). Just as her husband Loco is the archetypal Houngan (priest), Ayizan is regarded as the first, or archetypal Mambo (priestess), and as such is also associated with priestly knowledge and mysteries, particularly those of initiation, and the natural world. As the spiritual parents of the priesthood she and her husband are two of the Loa involved in the kanzo rites in which the Priest/ess-to-be is given the asson (sacred rattle and tool of the priesthood), and are both powerful guardians of "reglemen," or the correct and appropriate form of Vodoun service. Her colours are most commonly gold, yellow and white.

Azaka-Tonnerre
In Vodou, and especially in Haiti, Azaka-Tonnerre (also Azaca or Azacca) is in the same "family" of Loa as Azaka Medeh - the Loa of agriculture. Azaka-Tonnerre is a loa of thunder.

BacalouIn
In Vodou, (the Voodoo religion), Bacalou is a feared loa (or spirit), represented by a skull and crossbones. He is most often summoned by the darker members of voodoo.

Badessy
In Vodou, and particularly in Haiti, Bedessy is a minor loa who holds the domain of the sky.

Baron Samedi
Baron Samedi (Baron Saturday, also Baron Samdi, Bawon Samedi, or Bawon Sanmdi) is one of the Loa of Haitian Voodoo. Samedi is a Loa of the dead, along with Baron's numerous other incarnations Baron Cimetière, Baron La Croix, and Baron Kriminel. He is the head of the Guédé family of Loa, or an aspect of them, or possibly their spiritual father. 'Samedi' means 'Saturday' in French. His wife is the Loa Maman Brigitte. vAs well as being master of the dead, Baron Samedi 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 afflicted 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. He also ensures all corpses rot in the ground to stop any soul being brought back as a brainless zombie. 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 requires a voodoo ceremony to help him cross over into this world.

Baron Kriminel
Baron Kriminel is a much feared spirit or Lwa in the Haitian Vodou religion. He is envisioned as a murderer who has been condemned to death, and is invoked to pronounce swift judgment. When a person becomes possessed by Baron Kriminel they shout obscenities, spit and try to stab surrounding people. If, during possession, Baron Kriminel is presented with food he does not like, he will bite chunks out of the arms of the possessed person. He sometimes calls for sacrifices of black chickens to be doused in petrol and set alight. The shrieking of the chickens when being burned alive is said to appeal to the cruel nature of Baron Kriminel and appease him. His colours include black, purple, white and deep blood red.

Boli Shah
In Vodoun, and especially Haitian Vodou, Boli Shah is a minor loa who guards families.

Bossou Ashadeh
In Vodou, and especially in Haiti, Boddou Ashadeh is a loa, the spirit of the deceased Dahomean King Tegbésou. As the Petro mannifestation, Bossou is often depicted as a horned bull.

Boum'ba Maza
In Vodou, an animist, or nature-based religion, the Boum'ba Maza are a group of powerful spirits or deities known as loa.

Brize

Bugid Y Aiba
In Vodou, and especially on Haiti and Puerto Rico, Bugid Y Aiba is a loa of war.

Captain Debas

Clermeil
In Haitian Vodou, Clermeil was the loa who made rivers flood their banks. He was usually depicted as a white man.

Congo
In the Voodoo faith, Congo is a handsome but apathetic loa. In the Congo Savanne aspect, he is a fierce petro loa. His color is white.

Damballa
In Vodou, Damballah is one of the most important of all the loa (also spelled lwa). Damballah is the Sky God and considered the primordial creator of all life. The veve of Damballah comprises two serpents prominent among other emblems. Damballah rules the mind, intellect, and cosmic equilibrium. Damballah is the patron protector of the handicapped, deformed, cripples, albinos, and young children. When he presents himself in possession, he does not talk, but makes hissing and whistling noises like a snake in Rada rite. But in Haitian Petro loa he is known as "Dumballah Nan Flambo," and it is believed he can be heard "speaking through a flame". Alternative names include Damballa Weddo (son of Odan Wedo), Danbala, Danbala Wedo, Damballah Weddo, Danbhala Weddo, Obatala[6]. He is usually addressed respectfully as "Papa Damballah".

Dan Petro
In Vodou, Dan Petro is the loa who protects farmers; he is the father of Ti-Jean Petro.

Dan Wédo
In Vodou, Dan Wédo (also called Saint Louis) was the loa of the King of France.

Demeplait

Deryale

Diable Tonnere
In Haitian Vodou, Diable Tonnere is a loa (deity) who presides over thunder.

Diejuste
In Haitian Vodou, Diejuste is a kind-hearted, benevolent loa.

DinclinsinIn Haitian Vodou, Dinclinsin is a European loa feared for his temper and cruelty, he is often envisioned as a white colonial slave owner, he often carries a whip and is recognisable by his habit of putting whatever is given to him in his pockets, one of his favourite tricks is to pour rum into his pockets without his clothes getting wet.

Erzulie
In Haitian Vodou or Vodou, Erzulie (sometimes spelled Ezili) is a family of lwa, or spirits. Erzulie Fréda Dahomey, the Rada aspect of Erzulie, is the spirit of love, beauty, jewelry, dancing, luxury, and flowers. Gay men are considered to be under her particular patronage. She wears three wedding rings, one for each husband - Damballa, Agwe and Ogoun. Her symbol is a heart, her colours are pink, blue, white and gold, and her favourite sacrifices include jewellery, perfume, sweet cakes and liqueurs. Coquettish and very fond of beauty and finery, Erzulie Freda is femininity and compassion embodied, yet she also has a darker side; she is seen as jealous and spoiled and within some vodoun circles is considered to be lazy. When she mounts a serviteur she flirts with all the men, and treats all the women as rivals. In her Petro nation aspect as Erzulie Dantor she is often depicted as a scarred and buxom black woman, holding a child protectively in her arms. She is a particularly fierce protector of women and children. She is often identified with lesbian women.

Filomez

Ghede
In Haitian Vodou, the Guédé (also spelled Gede or Ghede, pronounced [ɡede] in Haitian Creole) 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 Linto
Ghede Linto is a Lwa that performs miracles, although many think he's a small boy because of his politeness. Linto is an old about 5 feet tall, dark skinned man with a cane, glasses and an old fashioned black hat. He's very well mannered and docile. He loves to teach his worshipers to sing and enjoys leaving them gifts he made out of rum, Florida water, a cigarette and fire. He would cut a piece of thread for each of his servants or children from his house; drop them in his special mix and needles will come out of it for everyone; other times like gold rings or gold chains will be given too. Linto does these miracles to ensure his children they are in good hands and he also loves to make knots out of their scarves just to surprise them with gifts. Linto's work is very proficient, direct and accurate, he can smell trouble 6 months away and assist you to either prepare for it or teaches you ways to prevent it.

Ghede Loraj
Ghede Loraj is spirit or Lwa in the Haitian Vodou religion. This spirit usually only manifests during storms.

Ghede NiboIn Haitian Vodou, Ghede Nibo was a handsome young man who was killed violently. After death, he was adopted as a spirit or Lwa by Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte and became a leader of the spirits of the dead. Envisioned as an effeminate, nasal dandy, Nibo wears a black riding coat or drag. When he inhabits humans they are inspired to lascivious sexuality of all kinds. Ghede Nibo is considered a great healer, carrying a bottle of white rum infused with medicinal herbs. He often also carries a staff and smokes a cigar. Nibo is the special patron of those who die young. Purple is considered his sacred color, and usual offerings include black goats, black roosters, calabash, cigars, coconut, fried plantains, pistachios, smoked herrings, sweet sesame balls, and white rum spiced with African bird pepper.

Ghede Doubye
Ghede Doubye is spirit or Lwa in the Haitian Vodou religion. He is said to endow people with the gift of clairvoyance.

Gran Maître
In Haitian Vodou, Gran Maître (or Gran Met) is one of the primary creator goddesses.

Grand Bois
In Haitian Vodou, Grand Bois (meaning great wood, also Grans Bwa, Bran Bwa, Ganga-Bois) is an elemental, nature-oriented loa closely associated with trees, plants and herbs. Offerings to him include leaves and herbs, honey, and spiced rum. As a Petro Loa and Loa of the wilderness he can be fierce and unpredictable in some aspects. Grand Bois, Maitre Carrefour (Master Crossroads), and Baron Cimetière (Baron Cemetery) form the Triad of Magicians. They represent the journey of life: Grand Bois represents the rich earth that you spring from and the dark woods you stumble through, Maitre Carrefour represents the various roads and paths you choose to travel on, and Baron Cimitère represents the end of the trip. His colours are commonly shades of green (sometimes including red in some Houses).

Guinee
In Vodou, Guinee is the spirit world, a reference to the African homeland that slaves hoped their souls might be returned to after death.

Jean Zombi

Joseph Danger

Joumalonge

Kalfu
Kalfu, Kalfou or Carrefour (literally crossroads - see crossroads (mythology)) is (in Haitian Vodou) one of the petwo aspects of the spirit Papa Legba. He is often envisioned as a young man or as a demon; his colour is red and he favours rum infused with gunpowder. He is often syncretised with Satan. As the name indicates, he also controls the crossroads and has the power to grant or deny access to all other Loa, and he allows the "crossing" of bad luck, delibrate destruction, misfortune and injustices. Kalfu is a feared and respected Loa reputed to be the grand master of charms and sorceries. He is closely associated with black magic.

Kapitan Zombi

Klemezin Klemay

Legba
Legba, Legba Atibon, Atibon Legba, Ati-Gbon Legba. 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, because his permission is needed for any communication between mortals and the loa - he opens and closes the doorway. 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.

Lemba

Limba

L'inglesou
In Vodou, L'inglesou is a loa who lives in the wild areas of Haiti and kills anyone who offends him.

Loco
In the Voodoo religion, Loco (also spelled Loko) is a loa, patron of healers and plants, especially trees. He is a racine (root), and a Rada Loa. Among several other Loa he is linked with the poteau mitan or centrepost in a Vodou peristyle. He is the husband of loa Ayizan, and just as she is the archetypal Mambo (priestess), so her husband Loco is considered the first Houngan (priest). As the spiritual parents of the priesthood he and his wife are two of the Loa involved in the kanzo initiation rites in which the Priest/ess to be is given the asson (sacred rattle and tool of the priesthood), and are both powerful guardians of "reglemen," or the correct and appropriate form of Vodoun service.

Lovana

Mademoiselle Charlotte
In Haitian Vodou, Mademoiselle Charlotte is a loa of European descent and a symbol of all white women. She manifests with the perceived personality traits of a white woman, but appears during the course of Voodoo ceremonies only rarely, possibly because of her non-African origin. Mademoiselle Charlotte loves the strict observance in her honour of all the niceties of ritual protocol. She prefers to speak French. She is served in much the same way as Erzulie. She enjoys sweet rose, blue, white or cream coloured beverages; water sweetened with syrup; all kinds of non-alcoholic liqueurs; and clairin. Her colour is rose. She prefers the tender meat of young chickens as her ritual food offering. Her services are difficult to obtain; she only works for people to whom she takes a fancy.

Maîtresse Délai
In Vodou, Maîtresse Délai is the patron loa of tambourine players.

Maîtresse Hounon'gonIn Vodou, Maîtresse Hounon'gon is the loa who presides over the chanting done during an ordeal by fire, called a canzo.

Maman BrigitteIn Vodou, Maman Brigitte (Grann Brigitte, Manman, Manman Brigit, Manman Brijit) is a death loa, the wife of Baron Samedi. Maman Brigitte is one of the few Loa who is white and is depicted as being fair-haired and green-eyed with light European skin. She drinks hot peppers and is symbolized by a black rooster. Like Baron and the Ghede, she uses obscenities. She protects gravestones in cemeteries if they are properly marked with a cross.

Marassa Jumeaux
In Vodou, the Marassa Jumeaux are the divine twins. They are children, but more ancient than any other Loa. "Love, truth and justice. Directed by reason. Mysteries of liaison between earth and heaven and they personify astronomic-astrological learning. They synthesize the voodoo Loa as personification of divine power and the human impotence. Double life, they have considerable power which allow them manage people through the stomach. They are children mysteries." The Marassa are somewhat different from standard Loa, both on a level above them, and counted in their number, they are both twins, and yet they number three, they are male and female, and both male and both female - an example of the Haitian worldview's capacity to retain two seemingly contradictory concepts. In some houses they are not channelled through possession in Vodou ritual, but served first after Legba.

Marinette (Vodou)
In Haitian Vodou, Marinette is a cruel and vicious loa who was elevated to a lwa after her death. In her Petro form she is called Marinette Bras Cheche / Marinette Bwa Chech (Marinette of the Dry Arms) or Marinette Pied Cheche (Marinette of the Dry Feet) suggesting that she is skeletal. She is believed to be the Mambo who sacrificed the black pig at the culmination of the start of the first Haitian Revolution. While she is feared and tends to ride those she possesses violently, she can also be seen as one who frees her people from bondage. Marinette is represented by a screech owl and is often seen as the protector of werewolves. Her colors are black and deep blood red. Her offerings are black pigs and black roosters plucked alive.

Maroule

Mombu
In Vodou, Mombu is a loa who stutters and causes heavy rains.

Manze Marie

Nago Shango
Shango is venerated in Haitian Vodou, as a spirit of thunder and weather; in Brazilian Candomblé Ketu (under the name Xangô); in Umbanda, as the very powerful loa Nago Shango; in Trinidad as Shango god of Thunder, drumming and dance.

Ogoun
In the Yoruba and Haitian traditional belief system, Ogun (or Ogoun, Ogún, Ogou, Ogum , Oggun) is a orisha and loa who presides over iron, hunting, politics and war. He is the patron of smiths, and is usually displayed with a number of attributes: a machete or sabre, rum and tobacco. He is one of the husbands of Erzulie, Oshun and Oya and a friend to Eshu.As such, Ogun is mighty, powerful and triumphal, yet is also known to exhibit the rage and destructiveness of the warrior whose strength and violence must not turn against the community he serves.

Pie
In the Voodoo faith, Pie is a soldier-loa who lives at the bottoms of lakes and rivers and causes floods.

Silibo

Simbi
In Haitian Vodou, Simbi (also Sim'bi) is a large and diverse family of serpent Loa (Vodoun spirit) from the West Central Africa / Kongo region. Some prominent Simbi Loa include Simbi Dlo (also Simbi d'l'eau - Simbi of the Water), Simbi Makaya, Simbi Andezo (Simbi of Two Waters), and Gran Simba. Traditionally in their Kongo context they are all associated with water, but in the Haitian Vodoun context they have wide ranging associations. For example Simbi Makaya is a great sorcerer, and served in particular in the Sanpwel secret societies. Simbi Anpaka is a Loa of plants, leaves, and poisons.

Sobo
Sobo is a spirit or Lwa in the Haitian Vodou religion. He is the spirit of thunder and is always depicted and served with his inseparable companion/brother Bade, who is the spirit of wind. In the West African Vodun religion, Sobo is a soldier-loa who rules over thunder. He is probably West African in origin and a flaming ram is his symbol.

Sousson-Pannan
In the Vodou (Voodoo) religion, Sousson-Pannan is a hideously ugly loa, covered in sores, who is known for drinking copious amounts of both liquor and blood.

Senegal

Ti Kita

Ti Jean Quinto
In Vodou, Ti Jean Quinto is a cruel loa who lives under bridges and assumes the shape of a police officer.

Ti Malice
In Vodou folklore, Ti Malice was a trickster-loa, archnemesis of Uncle Bouki or Tonton Bouqui. Ti-Malice was said to be exceptionally lazy unlike Uncle Bouki.

Ti-Jean Petro
In Haitian Vodou, Ti-Jean Petro is a snake-loa and son of Dan Petro.

Wawe