DAMBALLAH

The Sky Father and the primordial creator of all life.

Other names:

•  Damballa, Damballah – Wedo or Danbala

Patronage:

• Damballah-Weddo is a loa of snakes, serpents, water, life and rain.

Family

• Damballa’s wife is Ayida-Weddo, and Erzulie Freda is his concubine.
• Son of Damballah is Simbi.

Offerings:

His colours are green and white.

• His favorite offerings:
  • chickens
  • eggs
  • corn syrup
  • white flowers
  • Metal Silver

Veve:

Veve for Damballa and Ayida-Weddo

Mythology:

This serpent god who encircles the Earth was also the creator of human beings and gods and controls intelligence and the life-force. When he is not depicted encircling the Earth or intertwined with his wife the rainbow goddess Ayida, Damballah is shown living among the branches of the Sacred Tree.

Damballah looks after cripples, the deformed, albinos and young children. The snake god loves the precious metal silver and if worshippers find favour with the god he rewards them by leading them figuratively or literally to Earthly riches.

Those mortals possessed by Damballah do not speak but merely hiss like snakes. A son of Damballah is Simbi, the white snake-god who brings rain.

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Source:

1. THE TOP ELEVEN DEITIES IN VOODOO MYTHOLOGY
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damballa
3. Leah Gordon (1985), The Book of Vodou

 

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Questions?

What is a Veve?

A Veve (spelled Vèvè or Vevè) is a religious symbol commonly used in different branches of voodoo throughout the African diaspora such as Voodoo and is different than the petipembas used in Palo or ponto riscados used in Quimbanda since they are all separate African religions. It acts as a “beacon” for the Loa, and will serve as a loa’s representation during rituals.

 

What are Rada Lwa?

Rada Loa/Lwa, or spirits who come out of the rites of the old kingdom of Dahomey (present Nigeria, Benin and Togo), generally considered to be benevolent and sweet (dous).(4)