(New page: '''Damballa-Weddo''' is a snake god or loa in Vodou. Alternative names: Damballa Weddo (or Wedo), Damballah Weddo, Danbhala Weddo. In most houses, he is represented by either Moses or St....) |
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'''Damballa-Weddo''' is a snake god or loa in Vodou. | [[Image:Damballa-Weddo.jpg|thumb|Veve of Damballa-Wedo]] | ||
'''Damballa-Weddo''' is a snake god or [[loa]] in Vodou. | |||
Alternative names: | Alternative names: ''Danbala, Wedo, Damballah Weddo, Danbhala Weddo''. | ||
==Description== | |||
Damballah-Wedo is depicted as a serpent or snake, and his veves reflect this aspect of him. Danbala is also often represented as St. Patrick (who mastered the serpents of Ireland), and sometimes as the patriarchal Moses, whose staff transformed into a snake to prove the power of God over that wielded by Egyptian priests. | |||
==Powers== | |||
Damballa is one of the most important of all the loa. He is considered to be the loa of creation and father of all the rest of the loa. | |||
His wife is the rainbow serpent [[Ayida Wedo]] (he is also married to Erzulie Freda). | |||
==Cult== | |||
In many temples, a permanent basin of water is maintained for this lwa. | |||
His offerings are very simple and he prefers an egg on a mound of flour. Some houses also serve him with anisette and corn syrup. When he possesses a human, Danbala does not speak but instead only hisses and whistles. His movements are also snake-like, and can including slithering along the ground, flicking his tongue, and climbing tall objects. As a loa of the Rada nation he is associated with the color white. | |||
==Myth== | |||
Long ago, the serpent spirit Danbala created the world. He used his 7,000 coils to form the stars and the planets in the heavens and to shape the hills and valleys on earth. He used lightning bolts to forge metals and make the sacred rocks and stones. When he shed his skin he created all the waters on the earth. And when the sun showed through mist settling on the plants and trees a rainbow was born. Her name was Ayida Wedo. Danbala loved her and made her his wife. | |||
[[Category: Vodou]] | [[Category: Vodou]] | ||
[[Category: Haitian mythology]] | [[Category: Haitian mythology]] | ||
[[Category: Snake people]] | [[Category: Snake people]] | ||
[[Category: Water]] | |||
Latest revision as of 10:28, 18 May 2012
Damballa-Weddo is a snake god or loa in Vodou.
Alternative names: Danbala, Wedo, Damballah Weddo, Danbhala Weddo.
Description
Damballah-Wedo is depicted as a serpent or snake, and his veves reflect this aspect of him. Danbala is also often represented as St. Patrick (who mastered the serpents of Ireland), and sometimes as the patriarchal Moses, whose staff transformed into a snake to prove the power of God over that wielded by Egyptian priests.
Powers
Damballa is one of the most important of all the loa. He is considered to be the loa of creation and father of all the rest of the loa.
His wife is the rainbow serpent Ayida Wedo (he is also married to Erzulie Freda).
Cult
In many temples, a permanent basin of water is maintained for this lwa. His offerings are very simple and he prefers an egg on a mound of flour. Some houses also serve him with anisette and corn syrup. When he possesses a human, Danbala does not speak but instead only hisses and whistles. His movements are also snake-like, and can including slithering along the ground, flicking his tongue, and climbing tall objects. As a loa of the Rada nation he is associated with the color white.
Myth
Long ago, the serpent spirit Danbala created the world. He used his 7,000 coils to form the stars and the planets in the heavens and to shape the hills and valleys on earth. He used lightning bolts to forge metals and make the sacred rocks and stones. When he shed his skin he created all the waters on the earth. And when the sun showed through mist settling on the plants and trees a rainbow was born. Her name was Ayida Wedo. Danbala loved her and made her his wife.