Anyone Know Voodou Mythology?

[tenshikitsune]

The setting isn't really relevant, but I need some info on the Baron Kriminel from Haitian Voudan legend because my chacracter is trying to explain voodoo to a friend. 2007 setting, London England- My character is very open-minded and into everything and her friend is trying to 'soul search' and find herself, so she asked about Voudan practise and

Comments

Well...

[angel_negra]

I googled ["Haitian Voudon" Gods] and got:

http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/s/selected_cross-cultural_&_historical_personifications_of_death.html

About 3 quarters of the way down, Baron Samedi is talked about. I don't know if you already knew he's one of the death gods.

Switching out the search term Gods with Loa (which is a word in Voudon for 'spirits/gods') and found this page:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/voodoo.htm

Which has some reference links to Haitian Voodoo.

I wish I could be more help, but the only book I have on Voodoo deals with the sub-Saharan African Voodoo. I don't know how closely those rituals are to the Haitian Voodoo, but if you're interested it's:
"Mark of Voodoo" by Sharon Caulder, PhD.

It's an older book, so you could probably find it at the library.

[sweet_gardenia]

Baron Samedi is also known as Ghede and in Voodoo mythology he is regarded as a god of death, and also of life and fertility. He resurrects the dead, sustains the living and animates zombies. He guards the dead and he along with his female counterpart Mama Brigitte, are asked to protect dead relatives from body snatchers. Apparently he prefers graveyards, and has special subterreanen chambers designed specifically for his worship. He stands at the eternal crossroads where the souls of the dead pass on their way to the underworld and gains all of his wisdom from those who have died. When he tastes strong rum he goes out of control. He has been known to possess worshipers, individually and in groups and once he does so, it is difficult for even the most experienced medium (hougan is the term for them in Haiti) to control him.

[1mercystreet]

Kriminel is indeed one of the aspects of the Baron - he's the one who collects the debts before Fet Gede - November 2nd. This is the Vodou day of the dead and new year, by which time all debts to the loa must be paid. If you've performed magic under the auspices of the Baron and his family during the year it's a good idea to make service on or before Fet Gede, because being a debtor to these loa is a bad idea ;-)

The Gede also spelled Ghede or Guede, as has been explained above, are the spirits of death and sexuality. They're protectors of children, too. As ancestral spirits who hear both the living and the dead, they know things; as a result they can be counted upon for accurate if sometimes brutally honest advice. They're gregarious, talkative, paternal, have a filthy sense of humour, can swear like Marine Corps drill sergeants, and have HUGE appetites. I work with Baron Samedi a lot, and it's always an unforgettable experience

[tenshikitsune]

My Gods, I think I love you... ^.^ Honestly, I spent so much time trying to find info on Voodou and I've stumbled across a specialist AND practicioner! Awesomesauce

[aranel_took]

[tenshikitsune]

Found that one already ^.^ Thanks for trying though... I know lots about Baron Samedi, but I was trying to figure out Baron's Kriminel aspect more.

[ladyamber]

The Encyclopedia Mythica has several articles on Haitian myths, including an article on Baron Samedi. Hope this helps!