Several individuals got up and gave speeches, in English, mainly for our benefit, to explain, as Raymond had done the night before, that Vodou as they practiced it was a high calling, not an ethnocentric or parochial faith, but one truly concerned with, besides the primary goal of healing and resurrecting Haiti, international brotherhood and sisterhood and the advancement of all humanity, and a religion whose core tenet was Divine Love. And they strongly contrasted it with that form of Vodou that embraces elements of fear, darkness and destruction, rejecting this lower state of consciousness as a relic of the past.
The speeches over, the ceremony now began in earnest, and this is where my photographs take over:
The evening's ceremony began, and would end, with chanting in Creole. The chants greet, invite into our presence and ultimately dismiss the Loa.
These men's white robes signify their spiritual station in the ceremony. Several of them are holding ritual spears.
This is the Mambo, dressed in white, the high priestess of the Order.
After a period of chanting, several of the members began passing around shot glasses of consecrated spirits to the members, rum I believe.
As a prayer is recited, the glasses are raised.
The next phase included the consecration of yet more ceremonial implements, especially the machete, which has many symbolic meanings to the Haitians.
Spirits, rum or whiskey I believe, are poured on the concrete floor...
and lit!
This is a purification exercise.
Now dancing with chanting broke out in earnest in choreographed movements.
What I call the ceremonial sombrero is now brought forth...
and blessed. Note the patterns and symbolism embossed upon it.
More chanting begins and more spirits are dashed upon the floor.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
