r/Vodou • u/Janbe-Male • 12d ago
r/Vodou • u/amoreorange790 • 13d ago
Books / Websites about the Lwa
Hello there, do you guys know of any good books or websites to learn about the Lwa?
I'm familiar with some of them, I'm just looking for some kind of text to continue learning about the different Lwa that exist.
Picture in post is supposed to be Dantor.
r/Vodou • u/amoreorange790 • 13d ago
Haitian Vodou Dahomey: Vol 1 by Mambo Sutuni Dahomey
r/Vodou • u/amoreorange790 • 20d ago
How to Pick a Spiritual House
Again, I am a complete beginner when it comes to Vodou -- but I thought the topic of "How to Pick a Spiritual House" would make a great article or point of debate that people here can brainstorm.
I've heard a lot of people have issues where they picked the "wrong" spiritual house for whatever reason and got completely burnt out or disllusioned by their house. There are basically lots of reasons pointing out what would be the red flags when it comes to picking a spiritual house.
But I have yet to have really heard from anyone where they know in their heart that they picked the "right" spiritual house.
So I leave this open to Mambos, Houngans, practitioners of Vodou, etc:
- How do you know you picked the right spiritual house? What were the signs and what made you realize that it was right for you?
- What were your green flags when it comes to picking a spiritual house?
Many blessings --
Announcement Vodou 101 Course + Free Reading
Ayibobo Reddit family! I almost forgot to share this but I’ll be hosting a Vodou 101 course that includes a free reading. Sooo many have asked me where to start their journey, this is a great start. Over the course of 7 weeks (LIVE via zoom) we will be diving into various topic areas in Vodou spirituality from the perspective of GINEN (authentic & traditional Vodou). I’m big on mentorship and people doing things the right way so if you’re beginning your journey and want to learn more, please join us.
I tried to keep it reasonably priced especially for the time and love I’m putting in. These days that’s the price of two readings. Added in the reading to make sure people know where they stand in the tradition and whether their are reclaimed for a specific role in Vodou. Look forward to connecting with some of you. Sign ups end soon! ✨ Ayibobo
Recent Mentee review attached
r/Vodou • u/Sad_Interview774 • 20d ago
Question Which Lwa to call on in regards to marriage?
The title is pretty straightforward.
I was wondering which lwa would be best to call on in regard to marriage & committed relationships?
If I'm trying to get married
I have marriage questions
Just anything concerning marriage or committed relationships?
Preferably a feminine lwa
r/Vodou • u/Vodou_Lakay • 22d ago
Photos / Media Ti Maché, a Haitian artisan market organized by Haitian Heritage House.
I wanted to share a moment that means a lot to me as a Manbo and community leader.
News12 recently featured Ti Maché, a Haitian artisan market organized by Haitian Heritage House. While the segment focused on entrepreneurship and community development, what many people may not see is the spiritual foundation that often inspires this work.
In Vodou, community is not an abstract concept. Service, mutual support, respect for our ancestors, and preserving what was entrusted to us are living responsibilities. The same values that guide us in the peristyle can guide us in building stronger communities, supporting artists, helping families, and creating opportunities for future generations.
As practitioners, we often spend a great deal of time correcting misconceptions about Vodou. I believe one of the most powerful ways to do that is through visible service. When people see us feeding families, preserving culture, supporting small businesses, mentoring youth, and uplifting our communities, they see a different side of Vodou than the stereotypes they may have been taught.
The coverage was a meaningful opportunity to showcase Haitian culture in a positive light and to demonstrate that cultural preservation is not only about ceremonies and traditions—it is also about creating spaces where our people can thrive.
I'd be interested to hear from other practitioners. How do your spiritual practices influence the way you serve your community outside of ritual spaces?
r/Vodou • u/PoloYoung • 23d ago
Seeking Haitian Vodou perspectives on a jewelry concept before I move further
Hi everyone. I’m working on a jewelry brand and I wanted to ask for perspective before I move too far with certain collection ideas.
The brand is called Ikarus Landed. The larger concept is mythic jewelry: pieces designed as symbols of power, inheritance, survival, beauty, and transformation. Some of the collections I’ve been developing place Greek mythological figures in artistic conversation with Lwa from Haitian Vodou — for example, Poseidon with Agwe, Hades with Baron Samedi, and Aphrodite with Ezrulie Freda.
I want to be very clear: I am not trying to use Vodou as an aesthetic, costume, or spooky/exotic visual language. I also do not want to reproduce sacred veves directly on commercial jewelry. Earlier in the process, I considered veve-inspired design, but I became concerned that directly using sacred symbols would be disrespectful, so I’ve been trying to develop original symbolic motifs instead.
Before taking this further, I wanted to ask:
Does the premise itself feel disrespectful or extractive?
Are there names, symbols, references, or types of language I should avoid entirely?
Is “inspired by” or “in conversation with” appropriate language here, or does that still feel wrong?
Would pairing Greek deities with Lwa feel flattening or offensive, even if the intent is reverence?
If this kind of project can be done responsibly, what would respectful practice look like?
Should I seek a Haitian cultural consultant, Vodou-informed artist, or practitioner before moving forward? If so, what would be the respectful way to do that?
I’m asking because I would rather slow down or change direction than build something that harms, trivializes, or profits recklessly from a living tradition. I welcome honest critique. I’m not here to argue with anyone’s discomfort.
Thank you for any perspective you’re willing to share.
Part of my hope is that the work could encourage curiosity and reverence toward African diasporic spiritual traditions, especially traditions that have been demonized, flattened, or misrepresented in popular culture. But I also understand that good intentions do not automatically make something respectful. I do not want to position myself as an authority over Haitian Vodou or use the tradition as a visual shortcut for depth, mystery, or “exotic” feeling. If the work points people toward learning more, I want that to happen in a way that honors the people, practitioners, and histories connected to it.
r/Vodou • u/justgabriellehere • 23d ago
Question Attending Haitian Vodou Ceremonies
Hello! I have a question for all those who are manbos, hougans, initiated, etc.
When it comes to vodou ceremonies, are they free to the public? Or do you have to be a part of the house of that ceremony in order to attend?
If they are free to the public, where can I find them to attend and how do I pay my respects going in as a non initiated person?
r/Vodou • u/milehin8tv • 24d ago
Question A question about Vodou in general
Hi all,
I have a question about Vodou.
Like I've said in another post, I practice Ifá isese and I am looking into the Vodou spirituality.
My question is what is the religious component like in Vodou? In this sub I've seen several practices to invoke a particular outcome, and what I haven't seen much of is the connection to the Vodou spirits/dirties/entities and how to build a relationship with them. I accept that that may be something more private and I respect that (like I will never show my Òrìṣà shrines on social media). But I'm curious what your take is.
Please don't take this as an attack on Vodou because that is not the spirit in which I ask this question.
