Elevation Ceremony: September 26-27, 2008

Gro Mambo and LePeristyle Haitian Sanctuary have just celebrated the erection of renewed, refreshed, and rebuilt shrines to the Loas! The ceremony that was held in celebration of the new shrine homes featured visitations from Papa Agwe, Erusile Batala, Erusile Freeda, Erusile Dantour, Papa Ogu, and Baron Criminel, to name a few.

Pictures from the ceremony:

Ghede Ceremony

Every year, Voodooisants dedicate the period of autumn between the middle of October and the end of November to the Loa Baron Criminel, with a special series of ceremonies dedicated to him around All Saints' and All Souls' Days.

Information:

Le Peristyle Haitian Sanctuary
5629 North Warnock St., Phila. PA
Offering: Friday, November 2, 2007
Ceremony: Saturday, November 3, 2007
Spiritual Bath: Sunday, November 4, 2007
Ceremony: 10 PM until -- Attire: Purple / Black
Call (215) 276-3633 or (215) 548-2118 or email gromambo@aol.com for details!

Reveillon

During the time of the Mejestic Bath, the drums sleep. There are no ceremonies held with drums until after the Mejestic has finished. The Reveillon is the awakening of the drums, the first ceremony to take place after the Mejestic, and the ceremony that marks the beginning of the new calender year.

The Reveillon, also known as the Call-Down, is a special ceremony performed at the turn of the new year, calling upon the powers of all the forces to bless the people with their presence. Gro Mambo, as a master of invoking the power and carrying incredibly pure and powerful possessions, holds this ceremony every New Year's Eve at her Humofor, as her godchildren and guests celebrate the change of the year in the tradition of the Voodoo.

Aizan

Holy Week is celebrated by Voodooisants as well, beginning with the Ceremony of Aizan on Palm Sunday, and ending with a feast on Easter Sunday to celebrate the religious New Year. During Holy Week, Voodooisants fast, pray, and repent in honor of the sacrifice of God's only Son.

The Aizan Ceremony is an intense one, featuring the preparation of the palm, and closing with the administering of the Erusile Freeda and Papa Dumbala Bath. When the Bath begins, the traditional Holy Week fast does as well.