Vodou Soothsayers Apron

by Nadalyn Larsen

Title

Vodou Soothsayers Apron

Artist

Nadalyn Larsen

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

This is a soothsayer's apron made of thick fabric. Numerous objects and elements are hung on them: statuettes, calabash, cowrie shells, pottery, gourds, animal skulls and horns. Cowrie shells are the symbols of divination (Fa or Ifa) in Vodou. This apron is used by soothsayer priests, depending on their status and the place where they practice. He acts as a doctor, psychologist, therapist, lawyer, or even counsellor. People come to see him for professional setbacks, couple problems, lack of money, difficulties in conceiving children, bereavement or aggression of all kinds. It is through divination that the soothsayer must find an answer to questions. He will then interpret the signs that result from Fa divination, according to the personality and psychological state of his patient. A keen observer and connoisseur of African pharmacopoeia, the bokono must also impress his patients by surrounding himself with spectacular objects, or by adorning himself with bracelets, necklaces, belts or "aprons" like this one, in order to show patients, the forces he knows how to master and his ability to come into contact with them.

Photo taken at the Vodou Museum in Strasbourg France. The museum contains a magnificent collection of vodou artifacts. The collection is fascinating and educational for anyone interested in world religions or primitive religious practices. Vodou, or voodoo or vodum, is a much-misunderstood religion. At the museum I learned that there are three distinct forms of vodou – West African, where it originated, Haitian, and New Orleans voodoo. Apparently, the only forms of vodou that are attached to any kind of evil practices are the Haitian and New Orleans. The original West African religion was centered around worship of the elements and animals in nature and the ancestors and combines philoso#phy, religion, and justice. It is believed that the world and life are precious and should be handled with care and appreciation. The goddess Awon Iya Wa or Mothers, which includes not only god-like mothers but also older living women who are no longer able to conceive, are worshiped as the god of fertility and the mother of everything are celebrated through Gèlèdè ceremonies. These are colorful practices with elaborate costumes worn by priests, singing, chanting, and dancing. Scary masks or amulets are used to fight off evil spirits which might try to disrupt people’s lives. Masks are held to protect against the Mothers’ wrath and gain their favor. The ceremonies are an attempt to regulate life in society, convey messages and solve problems such as epidemics, drought, and famine through sending messages to the orishas or ancestors. It is the men who wear the elaborate masks, headdresses, and breastplates made to look like pregnant women with swollen abdomen and engorged breasts. The practitioners of vodou use masks and small dolls, or other objects, called fetishes, to ask for health, safety, prosperity, protection, and to protect and enhance relationships. Fetishes are objects which are believed to contain spirits and are commonly carried for protection and to fulfill prayers.

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January 18th, 2024

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