Demons, evils, spirits, gods and goddesses, cross and holy waters- they all are considered myths by many but are also worshiped by a lot. But that is the thing with mythology, it is somebody’s truth and somebody’s s tales. Another interesting thing related to supernaturals is that whether you are an eidolist or a skeptics, this tale is still going to fascinate you in a way that you are going to dig deeper and deeper about this tale. This is a tale of love and death. The Goddess that puts the FUN in FUNERAL - the RED HOT Maman Brigitte.
Interesting thing related to supernaturals is that whether you are an eidolist or a skeptics, this tale is still going to fascinate you in a way that you are going to dig deeper and deeper about this tale. This is a tale of love and death. The Goddess that puts the FUN in FUNERAL - the RED HOT Maman Brigitte.
THE VODOU LOA
Similar to these things is a religious practice called voodoo. It is a type of religion involving magic and worship of spirits. Voodoo has a reputation for being a slightly sinister form of religion, but there is definitely more to voodoo than just sticking pins into creepy dolls. So here we are talking about the Death Goddess Maman Brigitte.
The Guardian of the dead and leading lights of the afterlife. She is a Loa and the wife of Baron Samedi. Together they make the hottest couple to rule. She is always seen drinking rum infused with hot peppers or sometimes she just like having peppers.
Maman Brigitte: Looks
Brigitte is feisty usually pictured as pale skinned with big red hair, just as flaming as her peppers which she loves having raw let’s not forget. Sometimes she wore a heavy veil and sometimes a huge hat decorated with black feathers adding to her foxy lady personality.
She loves her skulls, you can witness a sense of sadness along with fire in her eyes and spirits. The colours that best describe her is purple, not dark enough to scare you but not timid enough to fool her. Which makes sense because purple, green and black are her colours. Her number is nine and her special days are Monday and Saturday. Monday being the start of a bad week and Saturday, its soothing and calming end just like a life. It is not easy to describe her with just few adjectives. Mysteries is her thing. She is jolly and happy, she is tough yet soft. Did we mention that she is dancer as well? Yes and apparently no one can do it better than her.
Originating from Ireland, Maman Brigitte, makes her the only white Loa and god as compared to others who origins from Africa. Brigitte was not just created, she was inspired by many Irish myths and legends. What made her so unique and so special was her rawness. She used to speak the truth no matter what, which made her sometimes intimidating but she also knew how to be polite and well spoken. She was the definition of gracefulness and elegance. She taught us to say what one means at all times without saying it in a mean manner. She was a protector, a lover, a guardian and used to love to party which made her also loved so much. She never hesitated from partying but also never got scared from getting her job done.
GUARDIAN OF DEAD
She cares for the dead making a point that they are loved more here than they were ever loved on earth, a place famous for it is cruelty. She did her job well and made a point that nobody scares death. Not only did she loved and took care of them but made others care about the dead. She wanted to send a message across to not forget the dead, Brigitte always respected those who respected the dead. Brigitte is solicited to raise the dead, meaning to cure and save those who are on the verge of dying from an illness due to magic.
Maman Brigitte is the mother. She helps setting the souls and spirits of the trapped dead and setting them free from mystic waters. A song which explains the poor conditions of the deceased in mystic water who don’t have the awareness even about their identities is given below-
Dlo kwala manyan, nan peyi sa maman pa konn petit li,
Nan peyi sa, fre pa konn se li, dlo kwala manyan.
Water kwala manyan, in that country a mother does not know her child,
In that country a brother does not know his sister, water kwala manyan.
These lines are enough to convey the frustration the dead might be feeling, the sadness they might be feeling. To them Brigitte is important, to the dead she is Goddess. And she never fails them.
FETE GHEDE, TODAY
Near Halloween there is another important day which marks the dark, cold beginning. November 2, is a national holiday in Haiti.
Catholics attend mass in the morning and attend the cemetery in the evening. By mid morning streets are buzzing with thousands of people. People press close around the twelve foot high ceremonial cross of Baron and the nearby smaller one of Brigitte. The people are fed and dancing and celebrations go on all night in the honor of Brigitte and others. Even the non Vodouisants often come to watch and then everyone end it and then wait the coming of it next year.
Now as we approach towards November 2, let us all light a candle for Maman Brigitte, the goddess of cemetery, the guardian of dead, the protector of all.
Hail Maman Brigitte
This Article is part of Vodou Loa Series. Check out these other articles of Vodou Gods -
- Maman Brigitte: The Vodou Loa of Death
- Ayizan: The First Priestess of Haitian Vodou
- Baron Samedi: The Loa of Death
- Papa Legba: The Door Between Two Worlds
