Finally it was time to offer service and sacrifice to the lwa Baron. Mambo Racine began the banda, the signature dance of Baron, when suddenly Baron appeared at Mambo Racine's side, in the head of Houngan Wolmer!



Baron also possessed our beloved maman hounyo, hounsi Philomene. The two Barons cavorted in front of the drums as they claimed their sacrifices.



Baron went strutting around the peristyle, showing off the goat he was about to claim.



As Baron danced a very salacious banda the hounsis of the Roots Without End Society ran to give him his ceremonial objects. A hounsi placed a black top hat on Baron's head as he executed the banda with characteristic virtuousity.


To see more photos and text describing the ceremonies, go on to the next page.

For more information on the Vodou religion, see The VODOU Page. And for information on the ancestral lwa including Baron, see Vodou Lesson 2 on The VODOU Page.

Also available online is a Non-Initiates' Service for Baron that you can do yourself, and a Baron Instructional Package that will teach you songs, vevers, and provide other materials for the service of Baron.

For a forum focusing on the needs of Vodouisants living outside of Haiti, the availability of ceremonial materials, and other issues, see Vodou Across the Water.

Click here to go to the beginning of this photo essay.