|
|
In Haitian Vodun, the Guédé (also spelled Gede or Ghede) are the family of spirits that embody the powers of death and fertility. They are closely associated with the loa Baron (whose aspects are Baron Samedi, Baron La Croix and Baron Cimetière). Depending on the tradition followed, Baron is:
- one of the Guédé
- their spiritual father who has raised them from the dead, along with Baron Samedi's wife Maman Brigitte who is their spiritual mother
- an aspect of the Guédé
In any of these configurations, Baron, his wife Maman Brigitte, and the Guédé rule death, the cemetery and the grave.
Well known Guédé spirits include Guédé Nibo, Guédé Plumaj, Guédé Ti Malis, Guédé Zaranye, and many others. They are known for the drum rhythm and the dance called the "banda" and in possession will drink or rub themselves with a mixture of raw rum or clairin and twenty-one habanero or goat peppers.
Gede Nibo is a psychopomp and acts as an intermediary between the living and the dead, who gives voice to the dead spirits that have not been reclaimed from "below the waters".
The Guédé often dress as an undertaker dressed in black with black sunglasses. Some Guédés will only have one lens, seeing as they do in two worlds. The chief of the Guédés is still Guédé Nibo. He has no wife, and goes around flirting with the lady Loas, except Ezili who apparently does not like him.
The colors of the Guédé are generally purple and black, and they enjoy unfiltered cigarettes like Pall Malls, rum steeped with hot peppers, dancing the suggestive "banda" dance with the ladies, and they are very protective of children, as many of the loa are.
References
- Voodoo: Search for the Spirit. Laennec Hurbon. Harry N. Abrams, 1995.
- "Ghede" A Dictionary of World Mythology. Arthur Cotterell. Oxford University Press, 997.
- "Vodun". http://members.aol.com/racine125/index1.html