Herbal Power Workshop
with Loulou Prince
July 2007

The workshop participants also learned to do plant-based magic. Seated in the Petro badji, a special room consecrated to the service of the Petro lwa in the Roots Without End Society peristyle, their magical instruction was a private, members-only activity. They were taught several wangas, or magical spells, that rely on the power of Grand Bwa and other Petro lwa. One of these wanga is documented in the photographs below.


Loulou assembles the materials for the magic he teaches the two young men. They include green calabashes, food items, special leaves and oils, beeswax tapers, and many other items.



Mambo Andreli lends a hand preparing the calabashes, as Loulou Prince makes sure he is safe from the sharp edge of the machete.



With song and prayer, Loulou Prince invokes the lwa! He begs them to cleanse Houngan Tom and Houngan Richard of any evil magic, misfortune or illness, and to strengthen them for the ordeal of the upcoming kanzo, or Vodou initiation ceremony.