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Interview with a Houngan - 2
Petro Table
A. G.- I see you have a Madonna there holding a baby, who is she? Can you also tell me about some of the things that are on the table under her?
H.H.- That is Mama Danto. I love Mama, she is such a hard worker. When she agree to help someone, I know they are in good hands, that they will get what they want. She is a pig seller in the market, you know? She is a good business lady and she is an excellent mother, always watching her kids. You see she's holding a baby that's 'cause she is a good Mama, the best!
A.G.- What is this wrapped in thread in the center here?
H.H.- That is a pwen. A pwen for Mama, this is a concentration of power. She works magic with this, she makes things come to people. People come to people. I've had this for a long time too, since before I became a Houngan.
Area for Danto
A. G.- Are all those things on the table for her?
H. H.- No, not all. Mostly, but not everything. This area right here is for my Petro spirits, so there are things on here that are not Danto's.
A.G.-How about this thing on the plate with the knives and forks sticking out?
H.H.- That is a paket.
A.G.- Who is it for?
H.H.- It is for Kafou, he who rules the crossroads. He opens it for things or closes it depending on what he feels like doing, depending on how he feels for you. They give you that when you go make your ceremony. You know to be a Houngan you know? That is like the best thing that anyone can do for himself. It makes you strong. It gives you force.
A. G.- And this? (pointing to a knife)
H. H.- Yea, that is for Danto. Danto carries a knife 'cause she is a single mother. She has to protect herself and her kids. She smokes cigarettes too, these are for her. She is a tough lady, but if she loves you, you never have to worry. This little cauldron here filled with oil is a lamp for her. Someone needed money, so I lit a lamp for her. She got the money now so the lamp doesn't need to be on no more. This doll here with all the kids, I make that for my Mami. She talks.
A. G.- Talks? Like you and me?
H.H.- (laughing) No, not like you and me. But Danto will let me know things through her. She will give me a look and I will know. Sometimes when someone comes here to ask Ezili Danto for something, I look at the doll. She will tell me if Danto plans to give it to the person or not.
A. G.- Yea, her eyes scare me a little. So do the ones on the picture you have for her.
H.H.- You don't need to be scared. You don't have to fear the Lwa unless you have something to hide. (Hector laughs hysterically)
A.G.-You are making me nervous now . . .. . .
H. H.- You are so silly. This thing here is for the Kongo spirits, you know we serve the Kongo spirits?
A. G.- Yes, I know. How are they? I mean, what are they like?
H. H.- I love the Kongo. The Kongo Queen she loves to dance. Kongo service is my favorite of all the services for the Lwa. She is beautiful, the Kongo spirits are happy and partyin type. They are fun! When we dance Kongo in Haiti, everyone gathers 'round the poto mitan (center pole), man-woman-man-woman. Everyone dances together turning in a circle, each man with a woman. On the pe (altar around the Poto mitan) the song leader will stand and direct.
AG- Wow! That does sound like alot of fun. What are these bottles hanging here for?
H.H.- Those bottles have special thing inside. I use them to make magic, so that I can do things to people's enemies.
A.G- So you work with do good and you do bad?
H.H.- Yes I work with two hands.
A. G.- Work with two hands?
H.H.- This means I work magic for good things, like love, money, healing, things like that. I also do magic that is aggressive, it harms. It destroys enemies, you know?
A.G.- What happens to a person's enemies?
H.H.- You know, they get sick, lose their job, get into accidents. They have bad luck, they might move away, anything.
Bottles the Houngan uses for doing aggressive
magic on enemies
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