Lexicon, Vodoun

Vampire the Requiem - Ancient Bloodlines

Below are some important Vodoun-related terms that may be presented within this section, or may be used to add authentic detail to a campaign.

• Bat guerre — an initiation ceremony that a vodouisant must go through in order to become a houngan or mambo. During bat guerre, the candidate is possessed by a particular loa who offers patronage to the devotee.
• Bayé — An entranceway or gateway, particularly between the material world and the world of the dead.
• Cheval — A devotee who is possessed or “ridden” by a loa. Translated literally, cheval means “horse.”
• Houngan — A fully initiated priest of Vodoun, under the patronage of a specific loa. A houngan’s female counterpart is a mambo.
• Loa — Powerful spirits who may be called upon through ritual to grant certain favors or abilities to those who serve them loyally.
• Mambo — A fully initiated priestess of Vodoun, under the patronage of a specific loa. A mambo’s male counterpart is a houngan.
• Ridden — To be possessed by a loa.
• Vévé — Elaborate, ritualistic symbols of power, usually drawn in flour or blood.
• Vodouisant — a low-ranking devotee of Vodoun who has not yet gained the patronage of a specific loa.

Associated Tradition: Kindred Vodoun