Terms and Spirit Listing
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Garde

(V.ENC) A protective charm used to ward off black magic.

Ginen (Guinée)

(V.ENC) This term refers to Africa, the land where the loa originated.

Given the asson

(V.ENC) Refers to when a houngan or mambo is raised to priestly authority.

Govi

(V.ENC) A sacred clay vessel in which the loa or spirits of dead ancestors are housed.

Grand Bois (Ganga-Bois, Grans Bwa, Gran Boa)

(V.ENC) The loa who represents the forest.

(DL) Lives in the deep forest where the vegetation is wild. He is the protector of wildlife, and doesn't like to be seen. He eats fruits and vegetables all day in the woods and when called in a ceremony, he is usually not hungry but the people always have food for him anyway. He is the loa that must be called upon before one is ordained into voodoo priesthood.

Grand Maître (Gran Mèt)

(V.ENC) Vodou belief recognizes an original supreme being, called the Grand Maître or le Bon Dieu, who made the world and who is analogous to the Christian God. However, the Grand Maître is too remote for personal worship.

Gros-bon-ange (gwo-bon-anj)

(V.ENC) Gros-bon-ange literally means, "great good angel." At conception, part of the cosmic life force passes into the human being to become the gros-bon-ange. All living things share this force, connecting all of us in a great web of energy. The gros-bon-ange keeps the body alive and sentient, and after death, passes back into the reservoir of energy in the cosmos. Without the gros-bon-ange, a person loses his or her life force; it's possible, according to vodou belief, to separate a person's gros-bon-ange from the body and store it in a bottle or jar, where the energy can be directed to other purposes. The gros-bon-ange also separates from a person when he is possessed, although it isn't clear where this important part of the soul goes during those times. The most important effect of the death ritual is to send the gros-bon-ange to the cosmic community of ancestral spirits, where family members can revere it as a loa, and where it can offer advice and help to surviving family members. If this isn't accomplished, the gros-bon-ange can become trapped on earth, bringing misfortune and disease to those family members who ignored its needs.

Guédé (Gede, Ghede, Paga Ghede)

(V.ENC) Guédé is actually a group of loa that is made up of the many spirits of the dead and is separate from the Rada and Petro groups. These loa represent death, sexuality, and buffoonery. They are also healers of the sick and protectors of children. Their colors are black and purple, and they frequently possess devotees, when they wear elaborate costumes with large hats, dark glasses, and walking sticks, or when they cross-dress.

(DL) Ghede is the eternal figure in black, controlling the eternal crossroads at which everyone must someday cross over. His symbol is the cross upon the tomb. Known as the spirit of death, other spirits fear him and try to avoid him. Of especial interest is the testimony of Ghede; for when this god mounts his carriers, they are bereft of any sense of self, behave and speak compulsively, and recover knowing nothing of what they did or said. Loa of death, sexuality, and keeper of the cemeteries. He is enamored of women, makes constant use of obscene words and songs, and performs obscene dances. When someone is mounted by Guede they put on a black undertaker's coat, a black top hat and stuff cotton in their ears and noses, this to symbolize a dead person. After they are dressed up they must then perform the banda dance, an erotic dance in which one imitates the movements of copulation. The Guedes live in cemeteries and visit Catholic churches at night. On November 2 the faithful visit cemeteries and light candles in honor of Baron Samedi. Papa Guede is a much loved loa because his appearance always brings laughter and joy, singing and dancing; he is usually the last to appear at a ceremony. He is the loa of death and resurrection; is known as a total clown; loves cigarettes; is often seen smoking two at a time. He is neither good nor evil, but he is amused by humans and that's why he jokes around so much. Ghede is sort of to the underworld what Legba is to life-he who controls access. Ghede controls access to everything in the afterlife. We are reminded by him that our understanding of death and life is limited and that both are beyond our comprehension. Ghede is also god of eroticism. Eroticism is beyond good and evil since it is inevitable. Ghede is neither delighted by eroticism, and certainly not shamed by it. If anything, Ghede is amused by the universal presence of eroticism and humans' constant need to pretend that it is other than what it is. It is believed that his obscenity in sexual matters is an affirmation of life in the midst of death. Saturday is his day and his color is black. His favorite foods are salt herring, hot peppers, roasted corn, and roasted bananas, and he is known for stealing food and hiding it, and then demanding more. Black goats and chickens are the animal sacrifices made to him during the rituals. When Ghede mounts someone he often singles out people who pretend to be aloof form eroticism. He ridicules them, embarrasses them, exposes them (in more ways than one). He is especially hard on whites since they often have the puritanical sexual attitudes of western culture. Ghede has a ravenous appetite for food and drink and doesn't mind manifesting them when he mounts someone. Another of Ghede's great powers is as the protector of children. Ghede generally does not like to see children die. They need a full life. Thus he is the loa to go to when seeking help for a sick child. Lastly, since Ghede is the lord of death, he is also the last resort for healing since he must decide whether to accept the sick person into the dead or allow them to recover.