 Grand Popo, Benin | Photo Credit: Tossie Long  Boat Sighting in Grand Popo, Benin Photo Credit: Zetwal Ashade  Grand Popo, Benin | Photo Credit: Tossie Long Towards the end of our stay in Benin, my Dance Kin and I took a two day excursion |
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"You will get there when you are meant to.
Not one minute sooner.
You are meant to, so relax, breath, and be patient."
I watched Dada’s visit to NOLA via social media. Hundreds of people were in attendance: journalists, dancers, drummers, youth, teens, elders, spiritualists, city officials... happy to witness the enthusiasm for the King, but was overly stimulated with the amount of chaos and energy felt through the screen. I knew. I wasn’t meant to meet him in NOLA. I spoke out loud, with conviction:
“I will meet Dada when the time is right. On BENIN’S soil.”
"In the company of his Spirits, on his land."
A year later, my words manifested. I recently walked on His Majesty
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely’s land.
In BENIN.
Saluted his ancestors.
Sat on the mat.
Fa Divination.
Ritual in the temples shrine room.
Offered sacrifices.
ReNAMED. ReCLAIMED. ReBORN. ReJOICED in dance.
Cause when the King asks you to dance, you betta get to steppin’!
Da/Dan/DANBALA, the divinity and energy that flows through this vessel, greeted the drums and danced Yanvalou with a passion and conviction unlike any previous performance, ritual or ceremony.
“I will meet Dada when the time is right. On BENIN’S soil.”
"In the company of his Spirits, on his land."
A year later, my words manifested. I recently walked on His Majesty
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely’s land.
In BENIN.
Saluted his ancestors.
Sat on the mat.
Fa Divination.
Ritual in the temples shrine room.
Offered sacrifices.
ReNAMED. ReCLAIMED. ReBORN. ReJOICED in dance.
Cause when the King asks you to dance, you betta get to steppin’!
Da/Dan/DANBALA, the divinity and energy that flows through this vessel, greeted the drums and danced Yanvalou with a passion and conviction unlike any previous performance, ritual or ceremony.
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna in Ouidah, Benin | August 2019
My lesson?
TRUST the process.
TRUST in the power of your words.
TRUST when the time is right, it WILL happen.
TRUST that Spirit will hold, cover and guide you.
TRUST!!!
Signed, Sealed & Delivered by:
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely & Queen Mother Manbo Dowoti Desir
Naming Ceremony | Ritual
📷: Shawn Merriman-Roberts
🎥: Yolande Sterling
Dada Daagbo Hounon Houna II Guely & Queen Mother Manbo Dowoti Desir
Naming Ceremony | Ritual
📷: Shawn Merriman-Roberts
🎥: Yolande Sterling
Dancing feet planted firmly on the compounds soil
Gracefully gliding through space
Secular to ceremonial
Undulations, Ripples, Accentuated Spines
Heads covered in White
Priestesses
Honoring spirit through DANCE- a crucial role in the African way of life.
An introduction, welcoming, and salutation to the Chief of the compound.
It is true! We each have a twin in Africa. The priestess in the center (photos forthcoming) has a striking resemblance to Taraji P. Henson! You know those eyes!
The pronounced cheekbones, and she had the nerve to have on lashes, okay?
The swag and slayage is here in these temples too!
Yass, Queen(s) come through!
If you’ve taken a Haitian dance class, you will feel this!
THIS is the ROOT.
The Source.
Continuously inspired by my Beninese people. This country, the rituals, the reverence for the divinities, the knowledge and information that I’m learning by watching. Receiving by participation. Actively seeking, engaging, connecting.
Vodou is open, it’s free.
It’s accepted.
It is...
It is true! We each have a twin in Africa. The priestess in the center (photos forthcoming) has a striking resemblance to Taraji P. Henson! You know those eyes!
The pronounced cheekbones, and she had the nerve to have on lashes, okay?
The swag and slayage is here in these temples too!
Yass, Queen(s) come through!
If you’ve taken a Haitian dance class, you will feel this!
THIS is the ROOT.
The Source.
Continuously inspired by my Beninese people. This country, the rituals, the reverence for the divinities, the knowledge and information that I’m learning by watching. Receiving by participation. Actively seeking, engaging, connecting.
Vodou is open, it’s free.
It’s accepted.
It is...
✨ RTL in BENIN | L E G B A ✨
This Vodou Voyage couldn’t begin without consulting Legba - on Benin’s soil.
It was imperative that we greeted and saluted this divinity who opens doors, opens roads, opens communication, and opens the way for an abundance of possibilities.
RTL Vodou Voyage Participants with Legbanon Dah Alotehoun
Legbanon Dah Alotehoun was the priest who officiated, and divined for our group. He was warm, welcoming, bright eyed, with the brightest smile while relaying Legba’s messages. Sacrifices and offerings were given to Legba, with an open heart and complete reverence.
We were blessed with a beautiful litany of prayers, chants, a cleansing with palm fronds, and an individual message that applied to our own personal journey.
Confirmation.
Confirmations!!!
Spirit Sees.
Spirit Hears.
Spirit KNOWS!
What a blessing to witness Vodou in real time, amongst community, receive deep, insightful messages from the oracle while standing firmly planted on this rich soil... AFRICAN soil.
We were blessed with a beautiful litany of prayers, chants, a cleansing with palm fronds, and an individual message that applied to our own personal journey.
Confirmation.
Confirmations!!!
Spirit Sees.
Spirit Hears.
Spirit KNOWS!
What a blessing to witness Vodou in real time, amongst community, receive deep, insightful messages from the oracle while standing firmly planted on this rich soil... AFRICAN soil.
The door is open.
The road is clear.
The journey is destined.
The Vodou Voyage continues...
Legba
"I heard of old folk tales of jazz players in New Orleans, going to the crossroads at midnight to get their instruments tuned by an old man that hobbles over. Once tuned, the player would sound incomparable to any other player in the city and would be great."
musician at the crossroads | google image
I’d like to have a dialogue. An on-line discussion, if you will. An opportunity to inquire and learn, cause one never stops learning when serving the spirits. It is a lifetime of study and dedication. Aside from my service as a Manbo Asogwe in Haitian Vodou, I am a full time Educator, Professor in Dance + Healing Arts Practitioner, focusing on Movement Therapy. I research. Things, people, places. Stuff. I require my students to do so, as well. So this burning question, among others, is the Researcher/Manbo coming forth.
I’m using this social media platform as an educational tool to gain insight.
I’m using this social media platform as an educational tool to gain insight.
legba veve
Legba. Papa Legba. Atibon Legba. Legba nan Petwo, among many others whom we may or may not know... is revered as the Lwa who opens doors & gates. Keeper of the Spirit Gate. Protector of the home. Divine Messenger. The Lwa of Communication. Opportunities.
Most often he is asked to: “ouvre baye” - open the GATE in his songs and in prayer.
Many Vodouyzan serve Legba on Monday, but as the Lwa of communication, he is always available when you need to speak with him.
My first question: When did going to the crossroads every Monday with offerings for Legba begin?
Is this Regleman, or is this Millennial/New Age Vodou? - Made up nonsense/ish, in the name of Lwa.
There is a distinct difference.
Most often he is asked to: “ouvre baye” - open the GATE in his songs and in prayer.
Many Vodouyzan serve Legba on Monday, but as the Lwa of communication, he is always available when you need to speak with him.
My first question: When did going to the crossroads every Monday with offerings for Legba begin?
Is this Regleman, or is this Millennial/New Age Vodou? - Made up nonsense/ish, in the name of Lwa.
There is a distinct difference.
"My suspicion is that it may come from African American conjure and lore, conflating "the man at the crossroads" with Yoruba practices, and mixing traditions. I see this a lot coming out of New Orleans Voodoo as well." - Koki Doré Bon Manbo
 Papa Legba Voodo/ Hoodoo Doll Source: Google |  Voodoo/Hoodoo Veve | source: Google  Papa Legba Veve Pendulum Board - Hoodoo/Voodoo | source: Google |
"I have not seen this done in Haiti. What I'm thinking is people are mixing Vodou with Hoodoo. I have no idea when this started, but it's popular. I can't say if it's right or wrong, but I will say it's not the way of my elders or my ancestors." - Houngan Michael
In all of my years traveling to Haiti, I've yet to see a Vodouyizan make their way to a crossroad every Monday with Veves drawn on paper, candy, toys, drink and money. The beauty of Vodou is that it varies, and it is REGIONAL. I gave up using the words "right and "wrong" many moons ago, when speaking on Haitian Vodou. What is practiced in the Northern part of the country does not apply to the South or Central Haiti. What rings true is that there is specific information on how to serve Legba appropriately. This information will vary from lineage to lineage. I'm fortunate to have traveled throughout the country to document AND experience the differences. It’s beautiful, fascinating, confusing, frustrating and contradictory, all at once. Welcome to VODOU!
"I guess the crossroads have always been a pivotal place, but as a Houngan I have never been instructed to perform offerings to Legba at the crossroads, nor have I seen it in Haiti."
- Pa Pou Suiv Bon Oungan
Pictured: Houngan Mihenle mounted by Legba | Photo Credit: Phyllis Galembo - Vodou Visions and Voices of Haiti
Since Vodou is Regional, how did THIS PARTICULAR ritual
of going to the crossroads make its way to the US?
Who brought it here?
Which Vodou lineage does it belong too?
Or... did someone just make this shit up, and now folks are following blindly, without researching, because “everyone is doing it” or my favorite:
"My Manbo/My Houngan told me to do it."
News flash: Everyone is NOT!
I personally do not follow this service, and don't need to.
Legba is with me. ALWAYS. In my house, right at my door. In my body when I dance, In my heart when I pray. In my soul when I sing.
of going to the crossroads make its way to the US?
Who brought it here?
Which Vodou lineage does it belong too?
Or... did someone just make this shit up, and now folks are following blindly, without researching, because “everyone is doing it” or my favorite:
"My Manbo/My Houngan told me to do it."
News flash: Everyone is NOT!
I personally do not follow this service, and don't need to.
Legba is with me. ALWAYS. In my house, right at my door. In my body when I dance, In my heart when I pray. In my soul when I sing.
"There is also the idea that unless your hands and head have the heat to knock in those metaphorical doors, you don't know what you're actually taking to the crossroads. Folks forget that a lot of stuff lives there, not all of it is nice, and a whole lot of it will happily be called by whatever name you put out there." - Bonkira Bon Oungan
Alabama Street intersection in Redlands
It's real out here in these Spiritual Streets!
I’m told folks are going to busy crossroads in severe weather conditions - rain, sleet and snow!
Risking potential accidents with oncoming, passing cars and of course
on-lookers questioning "what the hell you doing in a busy intersection?"
The Lwa need us ALIVE and healthy in order to serve them, to be present for our family, community, and most importantly, to fulfill our destiny. I was genuinely curious about this Crossroad Phenomenon, and sought out Haitian Vodou practitioners for insight.
My Observation:
Folks on FB and Insta are bypassing sitting at the feet of elders to learn. Sure, you can post images, memes, talk about Lwa, and regurgitate the SAME information in these on-line Voodoo/Hoodoo groups, but are you LIVING this tradition? What internal work are you doing? What steps are you taking to further your knowledge and growth within the tradition? In this information age, the focus is on obtaining info quickly, without any desire to formally train for a period of time.
Thankfully, there ARE reputable elders who DO teach and train, but that also comes with a level of trust and commitment from interested individuals who more than likely want a "quick fix".
another thing... for those of us who are serious about this spiritual journey, who sacrificed time, energy and money, went to Haiti, been in the Djevo, received our tool from Papa Loko, and EARNED the RIGHT to call ourselves Manbo and Houngan, KNOW who embodies the Crossroads... It ain't Legba.
"I think people get sucked in by all the Insta Manbo's and think they can reap the benefits with zero training. Without planting a seed how can a crop be harvested?
- Se Li Ya We Bon Manbo
Don't let Sosyete Facebook become your Learning and Resource center!
There are self-initiated, social media priests who are claiming African Traditional Religions.
Use those critical thinking skills when you are told or asked to do something out of the ordinary.
Dig deep to learn their INITIATED lineage.
Stay present. Alert. Ask Questions.
I use Social Media as a tool. It is my platform to share, inform, and inspire. Honor and Respect to the Vodou Priests who came forth and engaged in this necessary conversation, and who also gave encouragement to share the dialogue. AYIBOBO! - Zetwal Ashade Bon Manbo
There are self-initiated, social media priests who are claiming African Traditional Religions.
Use those critical thinking skills when you are told or asked to do something out of the ordinary.
Dig deep to learn their INITIATED lineage.
Stay present. Alert. Ask Questions.
I use Social Media as a tool. It is my platform to share, inform, and inspire. Honor and Respect to the Vodou Priests who came forth and engaged in this necessary conversation, and who also gave encouragement to share the dialogue. AYIBOBO! - Zetwal Ashade Bon Manbo
"There is no short cut or quick fix when gaining knowledge. It takes time, direction, and patience. Unfortunately, some people will learn the hard way. This is not a game or an opportunity, there is honor in serving spirit, some people will never understand that."
- Manbo Machete
Zetwal Ashade | Haiti Chronicles
• MARE | PAKET • ((tie/bind))
The Petwo nation of Spirits are Hot, Aggressive, and get things DONE!
Mare Paket is a beautiful, colorful, fiery Petwo Ceremony that takes place during Kanzo (Initiation). Paket Kongo are ritual items made by skilled Manbo and Houngan Asogwe, which are given to new initiates to take home after Kanzo is completed. Saluting the Lwa who embodies the crossroads, is essential in opening the way, so all that juicy Petwo magic can come forth and flow. Kalfou is the Kreyol version of the French word "Carrerfour" which means crossroads, In true Petwo fashion, Met Kalfou is called upon with fire, the drums are blazing, rum is sprayed, energy is high and intense with a purpose: to heat up the Pakets, to strengthen the initiates relationship with the spirits in their spiritual esko.
Mare Paket is a beautiful, colorful, fiery Petwo Ceremony that takes place during Kanzo (Initiation). Paket Kongo are ritual items made by skilled Manbo and Houngan Asogwe, which are given to new initiates to take home after Kanzo is completed. Saluting the Lwa who embodies the crossroads, is essential in opening the way, so all that juicy Petwo magic can come forth and flow. Kalfou is the Kreyol version of the French word "Carrerfour" which means crossroads, In true Petwo fashion, Met Kalfou is called upon with fire, the drums are blazing, rum is sprayed, energy is high and intense with a purpose: to heat up the Pakets, to strengthen the initiates relationship with the spirits in their spiritual esko.
 |  |
'"Strength grows in the moments when you think you can't go on
but you keep going anyway"
During my Mare Paket ceremony, my stomach was turning flips, knees were shaky & body extremely hot. It wasn't meant to be easy, with Haiti’s blasting July heat, blazing Petwo drums, AND overtaxed arms, while carrying a large basket of powerful, ritually charged medicine on my head.
Admittedly, I didn’t think I was going to make it. But the thing is: if you know anything about Bwa Kayiman, you know that the rituals, salutations, oaths, dances, songs and drums, were the catalyst of a major defeat - The Haitian Revolution. Born from the Petwo nation. A mighty nation. A nation of spirits that gave enslaved Africans, revolutionaries, and freedom fighters, the strength, determination and mental capacity to execute a revolt that would change the course of history.
Endurance.
Stamina.
Determination.
I needed it ALL.
I called on my ancestors and mustered strength from deep within
and eventually made it through.
Admittedly, I didn’t think I was going to make it. But the thing is: if you know anything about Bwa Kayiman, you know that the rituals, salutations, oaths, dances, songs and drums, were the catalyst of a major defeat - The Haitian Revolution. Born from the Petwo nation. A mighty nation. A nation of spirits that gave enslaved Africans, revolutionaries, and freedom fighters, the strength, determination and mental capacity to execute a revolt that would change the course of history.
Endurance.
Stamina.
Determination.
I needed it ALL.
I called on my ancestors and mustered strength from deep within
and eventually made it through.
 | Inside the temple, initiates dance around the Poto Mitan with their Paket Kongo in a Laye, placed on their head, spinning, continuously to activate possession, which confirms the spirits presence and energy within the Pakets.  |
Initiation IS uncomfortable.
It’s hard.
It’s stepping into the unknown.
There are also reasons why initiates are tight lipped and reluctant in revealing too much information.
African Spiritual Traditions ARE Secret Society’s.
We take OATHS, heard by God, our ancestors, spirits, and an entire community! Initiation is a sacred act of complete sacrifice and devotion to Spirit.
Unfortunately, you will not have this experience reading through pages of a book.
This experience was/is an actual RITUAL & PRACTICE that requires faith and courage.
The Mare Paket ceremony liberated my soul.
Empowered my entire being and reinforced the reason we salute these mighty Petwo spirits.
Sosyete Nago | Kay Maude
Jacmel, Haiti
Photo Credit: Bonkira Bon Oungan
It’s hard.
It’s stepping into the unknown.
There are also reasons why initiates are tight lipped and reluctant in revealing too much information.
African Spiritual Traditions ARE Secret Society’s.
We take OATHS, heard by God, our ancestors, spirits, and an entire community! Initiation is a sacred act of complete sacrifice and devotion to Spirit.
Unfortunately, you will not have this experience reading through pages of a book.
This experience was/is an actual RITUAL & PRACTICE that requires faith and courage.
The Mare Paket ceremony liberated my soul.
Empowered my entire being and reinforced the reason we salute these mighty Petwo spirits.
Sosyete Nago | Kay Maude
Jacmel, Haiti
Photo Credit: Bonkira Bon Oungan
Elekes | Kolye
Ritual Adornments.
Typically, in African Traditional Religions initiates are adorned with beads that have been consecrated and ritually fed.
ELEKES - worn in the Orisha/Lukumi Tradition | Photo Courtesy: Shango Lade
In the Orisha/Lukumi Tradition, Elekes are beaded necklaces in patterns and colors of the Orisha.
Once an individual’s head is crowned to an Orisha, other adornments such as bracelets for Oshun, Yemaya and Oya, in addition to an Ide - an intricate beaded bracelet indicating the initiates head Orisha, is also worn.
In Haitian Vodou, none of the aforementioned accessories exists within our spiritual/initiation system - with the exception of a sacred beaded necklace, known as Kolye. Kolye’s are long in length and stylized for a particular individual, which includes the representation of all Lwa. Ritually fed and presented, this is a badge of initiation into Vodou.
Ritual Appropriation
We do not have a single strand beaded necklace for Legba, in whatever color(s) folks are debating belong to him, charged at the crossroads.
No cutesy, pink & gold beads for Freda, ritually dipped in champagne.
Blue & crystal beads cleansed in the ocean for La Sirene & Agwe don’t exist.
Red and blue for Danto or Ogou?
Black and Purple beads for Gede & Manman Brijit charged in a cemetery?!
No.
Traditionally, we do not have handmade bracelets, waist beads, anklets, or amulets that are “ritually charged” under a full moon, to “open doors”, aid in protection, love or prosperity in the name of Lwa.
This is Millennial Internet Vodou for monetary gain.
This is an individual who is clearly arrogant to think “Vodou Lwa Necklaces” exists, and it’s acceptable to create this nonsense. If someone is making and selling these Etsy/FB/Insta trinkets to you, please know you are simply wearing jewelry - void of any energy from Lwa.
If this person is a Manbo or Houngan: THEY KNOW BETTER!!
Use Discernment.
KOYLE - worn by Hatian Vodou initiates | Photo Courtesy: Loraj Gwonde Bon Manbo | Soysete Nago
Just as Elekes are received in a beautiful ceremonial fashion, Kolye is ritually washed, prayed and sung upon, by an entire community, with an animal sacrifice included - it is empowered!
It is ACTIVATED by initiated hands, with license to do ritual work.
It is then placed upon the neck and crossed across the body of the initiate, which indicates priesthood into Vodou - KANZO, which seals the commitment to be a servant of Lwa until death.
Lukumi and Vodou have many similarities, but they are two vastly different spiritual systems. They should be respected and treated as such, when ritual implements/tools & regalia is concerned.
Respect Spirit.
Respect Ritual.
Respect TRADITION!
It is ACTIVATED by initiated hands, with license to do ritual work.
It is then placed upon the neck and crossed across the body of the initiate, which indicates priesthood into Vodou - KANZO, which seals the commitment to be a servant of Lwa until death.
Lukumi and Vodou have many similarities, but they are two vastly different spiritual systems. They should be respected and treated as such, when ritual implements/tools & regalia is concerned.
Respect Spirit.
Respect Ritual.
Respect TRADITION!
Author
Ashade
Dancer. Choreographer. Artistic Director. Singer, Healer. Messenger. Educator. Vodouyizan. Community Servant.
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