To be “given the asson” is to be raised to the priestly authority (see Houngan, Mambo.)

The sacred rattle of Voudoun, its typical components being a calabash and snake vertebrae. Locality on the coast of Dahomey, from which Moreau de Saint-Mery refers to the Dahoman people generally as “aradas,” and from which comes the term “Rada” denoting a main group of Voudoun rites.

Spouse of Maitresse Erzulie in her aquatic aspects. He is linked with Moses whose his staff turned into a serpent.Loa of the ocean, of ships and boats, patron of seafarers. In his Petro aspect he is Damballah Nan Flambo – Damballah of the Flame – and is believed to speak through flames and fires. He is married to Erzulie Freda, the flirtatious goddess of love. He is the protector of the handicapped, deformed, cripples and albinos. Because the creative process is seen as shared between male and female, Damballah-Wedo’s veves generally depict two snakes rather than just one.ĭamballa rules the intellect, the mind, and keeps cosmic balance. Damballah Wedo is strongly connected to the ancestors, and he and his companion Ayida-Wedo are the oldest and wisest of the loa.Īyida Wedo is likewise associated with snakes and is Damballah’s partner in creation. His movements are also snake-like, and can including slithering along the ground, flicking his tongue, and climbing tall objects.ĭamballah Wedo is associated with creation and is viewed as a loving father to the world. When he possesses a human, he does not speak but instead only hisses and whistles. As a source of life, he is also strongly associated with water and the rain. A clean white bed sheet usually covers his head while he consumes his offerings.ĭamballah is associated with the biblical figure Moses and, the Catholic Saint Patrick, in consideration of his affiliation with snakes.Īlternatives: Damballah Wèdo, Damballah Laflanbo (Damballah the torch),ĭamballah Tokan (intelligent snake),Odan (wisdom and endless life), Pyè Damballah.ĭamballah Wedo is depicted as a serpent or snake, and his veves reflect this aspect of him. It is believed that his wisdom is too preeminent for us mortals to be expressed through words.ĭamballah is not a very demanding Loa in terms of offerings usually a hen egg placed on a mound of flour, along a bottle of white anisette syrup or honey. After many sacred African litanies, Damballah will finally come in possession.Īs a snake, he doesn’t have feet the possessed immediately falls on the ground undulating just like a snake to get by does not talk, but only makes hissing and whistling noises. Smoking, and alcoholic consumption are strictly forbidden. It is very common for people to be asked to leave the temple if they’re not in proper attire when Damballah is expected. First, everyone in the assistance must entirely be dressed with freshly clean, immaculate white clothes, women are to have their head tied with silk white scarves. Along with his companion Ayida Wèdo, the rainbow serpent, he is viewed as the Loa of creation.Ĭeremonies for Damballah and/or Ayida Wèdo are extremely particular and highly elaborate, and all rules must be followed to the letters. He is the archetypal wise Loa, the patriarchal serpent divinity, associated with wisdom, peace, purity, benevolence, life and innocence.ĭamballah is highly respected and is one of the most revered African gods. Although not invoked first, Damballah is the father of all the Loa.

Vodou deity damballah wedo tokan