• MARE | PAKET • ((tie/bind))

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.

'"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.

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