![]() There are other families of Voodoo Spirits that we won’t detail here including Igbo and Kongo, both heavily revered in Haiti. Marie Laveau is a Loa who once lived in New Orleans. The Barons lead this nanchon including Baron Samedi, Kriminel, and Maman Brigitte. They often are boisterous and have wild party-like personalities. They are Voodoo spirits that watch over the graveyards and the dead. ![]() The Ghede Loa are made up of spirits who have lived human lives before. Voodoo spirits in the Petro nanchon include Met Kalfu and Ezili Dantor. For this reason, they are known as the “hot” Loa and may act fiery and war-like. One must understand the origins of the Petro Loa in that they came forth to guard and protect the African slaves brought to Haiti against their will. The Voodoo spirits of the Petro nanchon are wilder and more apt to mischief and malevolence. Some say the nanchon is derived from the mythical character Dom Pedro, who was a well-known rebel. These Voodoo spirits have roots in Haiti. The Rada nanchon are the first to be called upon during ritual and are the oldest Loa from Africa. The Rada nanchon includes Papa Legba, Marassa, Ezili Freda, and Lasiren. The Loas within this nanchon are strong spirits and are mostly benevolent to their followers. The Rada nanchon is considered the “cool” Voodoo spirit family. The Nanchons of Loa are families of Voodoo spirits, some originating in Africa and others in the New World. The Nanchons (Families) of Loa, Voodoo Spirits You can work with their Saint forms, as well. For example, Papa Legba is also portrayed as Saint Lazarus or Saint Anthony. When you work with the Loa, you’ll notice many of them are syncretized with a Catholic Saint. The people were too strong to let their indigenous beliefs go completely, otherwise Voodoo wouldn’t be a modern religion or practice. In the Voodoo tradition, the African slaves brought to Louisiana and the Caribbean against their will were forced to adapt their captors’ religions – one of which was Catholicism. Sycretization is the blending (or disguise) of one religious belief/custom with another. Syncretization of Saints and Voodoo Spirits Each and every one MUST be approached with a humble respect and working knowledge. ![]() Some are easier to approach and work with than others. The Loa are divided into groups or “nations” known as Nanchons. A Loa is a Voodoo spirit that aids the practitioner in life, including with success, sexuality, spirituality, protection, healing and even in death. One of the cornerstones of Voodoo is the Loa. The term “Voodoo” comes from the term Vodou which translates to “God” or “spirit”, which came from Benin, Africa. It involves the veneration of Saints and the Loa (Voodoo spirits) and the use of folk magic (called Hoodoo or rootwork). Voodoo is a mix of a couple systems, including Catholicism, indigenous African beliefs, Native American and European. Voodoo and Vodou grew out of their will to survive and keep their home customs. They were forced to adapt their captors’ religions, yet they didn’t give up their own. Vodou and Voodoo arose from the days when the African slaves were brought to the New World against their will. For our intents and purposes, we will heavily focus on Louisiana (New Orleans) Voodoo in this post. And Vodou which has roots in Haiti and is most often considered a religion. Louisiana or New Orleans Voodoo which originated in Louisiana and most often includes the use of magic. AND how to respectfully approach them no matter your tradition. In this article we look at the basics of Voodoo spirits – known as the Loa. ![]() Voodoo is a religion and a magical practice (depending on who you ask) that originated in the Caribbean Islands and Louisiana, U.S.
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