Symbols
The veve, as seen in this drapo, are symbols made in the practice of Vodou by the Haitian people to act as “beacons” for powerful spirits. They believe that when these symbols, which are meant to represent certain lwa (spirits), are made that they are able to more effectively tap into the spiritual realm. These symbols are thought to have begun in the Vodou religion due to the influence of many African peoples and their beliefs when they were brought over to Haiti during the slave trade. As Phyllis Galembo explaines, “Vodou resulted from the fusion of rituals and cultural practices of a great range of African ethnic groups.”[i] So Vodou, is basically an assimilation and adaptation of many African religious beliefs as well as a bit of Catholic influence from the slave traders. Spirit symbols can be seen used by the Yoruba people as well to connect to the spirit realm, and are even drawn into divination plates, as we shall see.
[i] Galembo, Voices of Haiti.
[i] Galembo, Voices of Haiti.