Ceremony

Use of Drums in Vodou Ceremonies

Vodou ceremonies are elaborate affairs consisting of various stages, which include greetings, parading of Vodou flags, invocations and prayers, offerings, drawing vévés (specific symbols for each lwa) on the ground, dancing, singing and the cadenced playing of drums based on instructions given by the mambo (officiating Vodou priestess). The drummers are essential to the service. Dance is a way of connecting with the divine, and the drumming helps participants attain that highest expression of spirituality. The creation of each drum, which incorporates specific elements, such as certain painted patterns, colors, rope and metal, is done with an eye toward attracting a particular set of spirits. To that end, not only are the drums sacred objects, but gods, as well.

There are two families of spirits in Vodou: the Petwo (Petro) spirits, a "hot," aggressive body of lwas; and Rada spirits, a pantheon of cool and calm spirits. The style in which the drum in this exhibit was created — staked and tied at the top — indicates that it was intended for use in ceremonies meant to attract Rada spirits.

Legba Vévé

A vévé is a ritual drawing traced with flour or corn starch on the ground of a Vodou temple (ounfò) in order to invoke a specific lwa. The beautiful and ornate drawings are characterized by graceful lines and curves, incorporating one or more symbols associated with the lwa in question.

The vévé on which the Rada drum in this exhibit is set is for Papa Legba, Spirit of the Crossroads. Although his vévé is reminiscent of a cross or crucifix, Legba's cross does not have the same implications associated with Catholicism or Christianity. Legba is always called at the beginning of a ceremony because he opens the doorway between the metaphysical and the physical, allowing spirits entry to earthly realms down below. He is the opener of doors and lord of communication.