Loa
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2008-07-04T08:55:35Z
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/* Ghede loa */
{{otheruses}}
The '''Loa''' (also ''Lwa'' or ''L'wha'') are the spirits of the [[Vodou]] religion practiced in [[Haiti]], and other parts of the world. They are also referred to as the Mystères and the Invisibles. They are somewhat akin to [[saint]]s or [[angel]]s in Western religions in that they are intermediaries between [[Bondye]] (Bon Dieu, or good god)—the [[Creator deity|Creator]], who is distant from the world—and humanity. Unlike saints or angels however, they are not simply prayed to, they are served. They are each distinct beings with their own personal likes and dislikes, distinct sacred rhythms, songs, dances, ritual [[symbol]]s, and special modes of service. Contrary to popular belief, the loa are not deities in and of themselves; they are intermediaries for a distant Bondye.
==Syncretism==
[[Image:Ченстоховская икона Божией Матери.jpg|thumb| The most common depiction of the loa [[Erzulie Dantor]] is derived from this variant of the sacred [[icon]] of [[Our Lady of Czestochowa]]. ]]
As a way to keep their [[Europea]]n masters from interfering, and to appease the authorities who prevented them from practising their own religions, the African [[slavery|slave]]s in Haiti [[syncretism|syncretised]] the Loa with the [[Roman Catholic]] saints - so Vodoun altars will frequently have images of Catholic figures displayed. For example, [[Papa Legba]] is alternately [[Saint Peter|St. Peter]] or [[Saint Lazarus|St. Lazarus]], [[Ayizan]] is [[Saint Clare]], and so on. Some of the Catholic saints may well have been syncretic creations themselves, when early Christians in North Africa came into contact with African loas, thus coming full circle.
==Rituals==
In a ritual the Loa are summoned by the [[Houngan]] (Priest) [[Mambo (voodoo)|Mambo]] (Priestess) or [[Bokor]] (Sorcerers) to take part in the service, receive offerings, and grant requests. The Loa arrive in the peristyle (ritual space) by mounting (possessing) a horse (ritualist) - who is said to be "ridden." This can be quite a violent occurrence as the participant can flail about or convulse before falling to the ground, but some Loa will mount their horses very quietly - Ayizan is one such Loa.
Certain Loa display very distinctive behaviour by which they can be recognised, specific phrases, and specific actions. As soon as a Loa is recognised, the symbols appropriate to them will be given to them. For example [[Erzulie|Erzulie Freda]] will be given a mirror and a comb, fine cloth or jewellery; Legba will be given his cane, straw hat and pipe; [[Baron Samedi]] will be given his top hat, sunglasses and a cigar.
Once the Loa has arrived, fed, been served, and possibly given help or advice, they leave the peristyle. Contrary to the Western perception of possession, a Loa has no need to remain in the horse (possessed ritualist). Certain Loa can become obstinate, for example the Ghede are notorious for wanting just one more smoke, or one more drink, but it is the job of the Houngan or Mambo to keep the spirits in line while ensuring they are adequately provided for.
==Families of Loa==
There are three main families or nations of Loa - [[Rada loa|Rada]] (also Radha), [[Petro loa|Petro]] (also Pethro, Petwo), and [[Guédé|Ghede]] (Also Guede, or Gede).
===Rada loa===
The [[Rada loa|Rada Loa]] are generally the older, more beneficent spirits. They include [[Papa Legba|Legba]], [[Loco (loa)|Loko]], [[Ayizan]], [[Damballah|Dhamballah Wedo]] and [[Ayida-Weddo]], [[Erzulie|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|Petro Loa]] are generally the more fiery, occasionally aggressive and warlike Loa. They include [[Ezili Dantor]], [[Marinette]], [[Ogoun]], and [[Kalfu]] (Carrefour). Their traditional colour is [[red]].
===Ghede loa===
The [[Ghede]] are the spirits of the dead. They are traditionally led by the Barons ([[Baron La Croix|La Croix]], [[Baron Samedi|Samedi]], [[Baron Cimetière|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]].
==List of Loa==
A selection of Loa follows:
{|
|- valign=top
|
*[[Adjassou-Linguetor]]
*[[Adjinakou]]
*[[Adya Houn'tò]]
*[[Agassou]]
*[[Agwe]]
*[[Anaisa Pye]]
*[[Ayida-Weddo]]
*[[Ayizan]]
*[[Azaka-Tonnerre]]
*[[Bacalou]]
*[[Badessy]]
|||
*[[Baron Samedi]]
*[[Boli Shah]]
*[[Bossou Ashadeh]]
*[[Boum'ba Maza]]
*[[Bugid Y Aiba]]
*[[Captain Debas]]
*[[Clermeil]]
*[[Congo (loa)|Congo]]
*[[Damballa]]
*[[Dan Petro]]
*[[Dan Wédo]]
|||
*[[Diable Tonnere]]
*[[Diejuste]]
*[[Dinclinsin]]
*[[Erzulie]]
*[[Ghede]]
*[[Gran Maître]]
*[[Grand Bois]]
*[[Guinee]]
*[[Kalfu]]
*[[Lemba]]
*[[Limba]]
|||
*[[L'inglesou]]
*[[Loco (loa)|Loco]]
*[[Mademoiselle Charlotte]]
*[[Mait' Carrefour]]
*[[Maîtresse Délai]]
*[[Maîtresse Hounon'gon]]
*[[Maman Brigitte]]
*[[Marassa]]
*[[Marassa Jumeaux]]
*[[Marinette]]
*[[Mombu]]
|||
*[[Mounanchou]]
*[[Shango|Nago Shango]]
*[[Ogoun]]
*[[Papa Legba]]
*[[Pie (loa)|Pie]]
*[[Simbi]]
*[[Sobo (loa)|Sobo]]
*[[Sousson-Pannan]]
*[[Ti Jean Quinto]]
*[[Ti Malice]]
*[[Ti-Jean Petro]]
|}
==See also==
*[[Haitian mythology]]
==External links==
* [http://www.webster.edu/~corbetre/haiti/voodoo/biglist.htm Webster list of loa]
{{Afro-American Religions}}
[[Category:Vodou]]
[[Category:Caribbean mythology]]
[[cs:Loa (voodoo)]]
[[de:Loa]]
[[es:Loa (vudú)]]
[[fr:Lwa]]
[[gl:Loa]]
[[it:Loa (Vudù)]]
[[pl:Loa (rzeka)]]
[[pt:Loa]]
[[ru:Лоа]]
[[sr:Лоа (драма)]]