Ghede
Ghede AmericaIn the Voodoo mythology of Haiti, the hungry figure in black top hat, long black tail coat, and dark glasses posted at the eternal crossroads, where pass the souls of the dead on their way to guinee, the legendary place of origin and the abode of the gods. Ghede is wise beyond all others, since as god of death he holds the knowledge of all those who have lived. He is also ‘the lord of life’, a phallic deity: he sustains the living, increases their number, and resurrects the dead. In the chamber dedicated to his worship a sculptured phallus lies side by side with the grave-digger's tools.
As the guardian of the dead, the cross of Baron Samedi, as Ghede is sometimes called, is in every cemetery, while the graves that are under the protection of his female counterpart, Maman Brigitte, are marked by a pile of stones. As the lord of love, Ghede is noted for his unpredictable obscenity and his inordinate desire for strong rum. He is...
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