Rada

The Rada loa are generally seen as benevolent, being mainly characterised by wisdom and protective powers. Foremost among them are Damballah and Aida, Legba, Agoué and Maîtresse La Sirène, Guédé, Erzulie, Loco and Aïzan, Papa ‘Zaca, and Ogoun. Each of these loa has many sub-personas, who have their own defining characteristics.

Damballah-Wedo and Aida-Wedo, his consort, are represented as snakes, Damballah as a boa constrictor and Aida as a narrow green snake. Aida is also represented as the rainbow. Damballah is seen as a venerable and good father figure, closely connected with the concept of Da, the origin and essence of life. Da is the central force in Vodoun practised in New Orleans, where it seems to take on the features of Damballah himself. Both Damballah and Aida are closely associated with fertility and with the colour white in Haiti. They are generally given chickens as a sacrifice, which is the way loa are fed.

Legba is acknowledged first in Vodoun ritual, being the “old man” of the crossroads and cardinal points, controlling the gate between the spirit world and material world. It is to him that an appeal must be made to have any contact between the two. In his original Dahomean form he was a young man, a seducer of women, and a trickster. Legba also has associations with fertility, a throwback to his Dahomean roots. He is given a goat or rooster as sacrifice and a few drops of rum to open the gateways between worlds.

Agoué and Maîtresse La Sirène are deities of the sea and islands, propitiated by fisherman to make their living within their domain. Agoué (or Agwe) is symbolised by a boat and favours the colours blue and white, while La Sirène is depicted as a mermaid. Their sacrifices are loaded on a small barque (a boat) and set adrift on the sea to reach the pair at their undersea island home.

Guédé Nimbo is death personified. He is shown wearing black and carrying a cross, as well as sporting dark glasses. He often smokes a cigarette or cigar and is characterised as having endless hunger. Those wishing to speak to their ancestors must approach him for the favour. Conversely, he is also the loa of eroticism and sexuality, delighting in using obscene gestures to provoke those that pretend to be above it. Guédé (or Ghede) is a loa of many facets, as he is also known as a sophisticate and a trickster.

Erzulie Fréda Dahomey is the goddess of home, purity, and love, as well as that of aspirations and dreams. Her elaborate toilette is one of her identifying characteristics, as is her refined behaviour and her fondness for luxury – and handsome men. When being dined by her servitors, she especially favours desserts and champagne. A chequered heart is the symbol by which she is known.

Loco Attiso and Aïzan are complementary to Legba in that they are also guardians of the way between spirit and material realms. However, they are much closer to the human side and act as protectoral parent figures for their followers. Loco presides over the hounfour, the Vodoun place of worship, and healing of the body, whereas Aïzan presides over protection from black magic and the care of the spirit.