Day of the Ghede

Today is the Day of the Dead in Vodou. We honor Papa Ghede (Baron), Maman Brigitte, and the various wandering Ghede. It is All Souls' Day in the Roman Catholic Church and celebrated in the Mexican culture as a day for the Ancestors.

Papa Ghede's colors are purple, black, and white. He usually wears a top hat and smokes a cigar. He is symbolized as a skeleton. He with his wife, Maman Brigitte, are parents of the unclaimed dead. On this day he celebrates that role. If someone dies without a family or loved ones to mourn their passing, Papa Ghede welcomes them with open arms. We celebrate the "unknowns" on this day. Every life has value and Papa Ghede won't let anyone forget that. Since ancestor veneration is the heart of Vodou, the dead are our skeleton.

Papa Ghede is funny! He will make you laugh! Laughter is healing, and he is the great healer. He is also a judge. He decides whether or not someone is going to live or die. If you want to have a baby, go to the Ghede and ask. You will often see a skeleton holding a baby in the art that decorates the Ghede altars. Without death, there is no life. They rule death and birth as the ultimate continuum.

I remember my first encounter with Papa Ghede. I'm not a smoker or a drinker, and he does both. I put out the cigars, cigarettes, gin, and white rum. I said my prayers and his songs. The smoke was quite bothersome and I said, "this isn't good for you." He replied, "I'm dead already." That's Papa Ghede.

Never lie to him! The truth is funny, and he detests lies. If you want something ask, but be direct and to the point. Have a good time! Honor the blood that flows through your veins. Don't take your existence for granted. Laugh and love as much as you can.

Along with death, he rules sex. He can be vulgar and lewd, but always in fun. In Haiti, he loves to ride the primmest and most uptight people. He will have them acting crude and being embarrassed after the fact. Papa Ghede will loosen them up! Without sex there is no life, and life is what Papa Ghede is all about.

Many have the wrong notion that the Ghede fall under the Petro nation, but that is not the case. They have their own nation. The closest they would be associated with are the ancestors. They are known as "new world" LWA because they are not honored in Dahomey, which is still primarily the Rada nation.

Give Papa Ghede white rum, fish, spicy rice, and fun! Maman Brigitte likes strong coffee, strong perfume, and  gin. The Ghede love popcorn, candy, and cigarettes.  They love to end the fetes. Many a time Papa Ghede will come to end a great party with a, "we love you, but it's time to go."

I keep my Ghede altar in a wonderful container on my ancestor altar. Papa Ghede can easily sidestep Papa Legba and come into physical contact with us. I've seen many a dust ups between them.

Here are their songs/invocations;

Papa Ghede/Baron Ghede
J'ou m'antre nan la kwa
J'ou mántre nan la kwa
O gras ak delivrans
O gras ak delivrans
J'ou m'antre nan la kwa

Maman Brigitte
Mesye la kwa avase pou l'we yo
Maman Brigitte malad, il kouché sous do
Se pa prye, ki leve le mo
Pawaol anpil, ki leve la mo a to
Mare tet ou, mare vant ou
Yo prale we ki jan map fé avé yo.

The Ghede
Brav Ghede Nibo
Tout otan yo poko we mewne, move tan bare mwen
Brave Ghede Nibo
La pliw tonbe, té a glisé
Brave Ghede Nibo