| Maman Brigitte | |
|---|---|
Goddess of life, death, justice, motherhood, fertility, cemeteries, crosses, gravestones, women, souls of deceased relatives, obscenities, passion | |
| Member of Ghede | |
) Veve for Maman Brigitte | |
| Other names | Grandma Brigitte, Manman, Maman Brijit, Grann (or Gran) Brigitte, Brigitte, Manman Brijit |
| Abode | Voodoo underworld |
| Mantra | Banda |
| Animals | Black rooster, horse |
| Symbol | Rum, hot peppers, fire, gravestones, crosses |
| Tree | Elm, weeping willow |
| Color | Purple, black, green |
| Gender | Female |
| Consort | Baron Samedi |
| Offspring | Ghede Nibo (adopted) |
| Equivalents | |
| Christian equivalent | Brigid of Kildare Mary Magdalene |
| Yoruba equivalent | Oya |
| Celtic equivalent | Brigid |
Maman Brigitte (English: Mother Brigitte) also written Gran Brigitte, Grann Brigitte, Manman, Manman Brigit, and Maman Brijit, is a death loa and the consort of Baron Samedi in Haitian Vodou. She drinks rum infused with hot peppers and is symbolized by a black rooster.[1] Like Samedi and the Ghede, she is foul-mouthed.[2] She is also the adoptive mother of Ghede Nibo.[1]
Due to the religious persecution of slaves in Haiti and the Americas, Maman Brigitte has been syncretized and represented by various saints, usually those depicted with fire or snakes, including Brigid of Kildare and Mary Magdalene, although she is usually syncretized with Saint Brigid.[1]
Inspired by many Irish myths and legends, Maman Brigitte originates from Ireland and is the only loa said to be inspired by Irish myth compared to other gods which all originate strictly from Africa. Maman Brigitte is the goddess of death who cares for the dead more than they were ever loved while living. As she wants to send a message to not forget the dead, Brigitte always respects those who respect the dead. Being a mother, she helps lost souls and spirits that are trapped and helps them find their way.[3]
Maman Brigette is mentioned in the novel Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward.[4]
References
- ^ a b c Torres, Rafael Agustí. "Loas y Vèvès del Vudú", pp. 30-31 (in Spanish)
- ^ "The Ancestral Lwa - Baron, Maman Brigitte, And The Lwa Ghede", Meta Religion.
- ^ "Maman Brigitte: The Vodou Loa of Death". Strangilla. Archived from the original on 2019-09-29.
- ^ Ward, Jesmyn. Sing, Unburied, Sing.
Further reading
- Laënnec Hurbon, Voodoo: Search for the Spirit, "Abrams Discoveries" series. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. (1995)
- Shannon R. Turlington, The Complete Idiot's Guide To Voodoo. Alpha Books. (2001)