Agwé
Loa of the Sea, Earth Shaker
Venerated in Haitian
Vodou
Symbols: Shells, fish, blue, white, green, brown, oars,
boats, mirrors, telescope, fish hooks, net, sailors uniform
Patronage Sea,
river, fishermen, sailors, sea captains, pirates, Thursday, ships, boats, wind,
waves, sea travelers
He is known as the great Admiral and the sovereign King of
the sea.
His Kingdom is shared with Laserenia, she is a beautiful deity who many people
associate as his consort.
Although in some mythology she is seen as his daughter.
These two are known as the royalty of the sea Agwe is more
than simply King of the waters or the sea god is an old spirit one of the first
to manifest on earth.
It is believed that Agwe existed in the primordial waters
that covered the earth before life began.
Met Agwe is the loa of direction. His territory is the winds
and the currents, waves and depths of the oceans. He helps sailors find their
bearings when lost at sea. He provides inspiration and guidance whenever an
individual needs them in times of turmoil, loss, or indecision. He lives in a
glorious palace under the seas. Patron of sailors, sea travelers, and pirates.
("Master Agwe")
Papa Agwe is envisioned as a handsome African man with green
eyes,, often wearing a naval officer's or sailor's uniform. He is considered to
be a gentleman who commands respect and embodies several ideals of masculinity
including bravery, reserve, and provision.
Worship
His colors are blue, white, and occasionally sea-green or
brown. His ritual symbol) is a boat with sails. His symbols are painted shells,
painted oars, and sea life like the seahorse and starfish. He is syncretized
with the Catholic saint Ulrich of Augsburg and occasionally the archangel
Raphael, both of whom are depicted holding fish. His holy day is Thursday.
He is saluted or signaled with blowing on a conch shell
and/or volleys of gunfire. When he possesses a devotee he often pushes himself
around the temple on a chair (his boat) with a cane (his oar), shouting naval
commands and saluting members of the congregation. His chevals
("horses" or possessed devotees) need to be kept moist with wet
sponges or damp towels and have to be kept from running into the sea, where
Agwe belongs.
Offerings
Small offerings to Agwe are poured or dropped overboard in
deep ocean water. Large offerings to Agwe are left on constructed rafts
(barques d'Agwe) which are floated or towed out to sea. If the raft sinks, it
is accepted; if it returns to shore it is rejected.After the offering is left,
the supplicants cannot look back at that place or it will anger Agwe. Chevals must
be prevented from falling or leaping into the sea and drowning, as it would
offend Agwe. Nothing toxic (lead pipes, cement bags, garbage) must be used to
weigh down the raft; if it will hurt or pollute the sea, it will anger Agwe.
His offerings include:
Beverages: champagne, naval rum, or anisette. Coffee with
sugar and cream.
Items: mirrors, a telescope, toy ships or scale ship models,
oars or paddles, sea shells, turquoise beads or jewelry, fish-shaped sculptures
or jewelry, fish hooks and nets, nautical uniforms or medals.
Food: Savory exotic foods, melon, boiled cornmeal, rice
cooked in coconut milk, rice cooked with lima beans, boiled or fried ripe
bananas, white cake, cane syrup, almond oil, olive oil.
Sacrificial Animals: White roosters, male ducks, and white
rams or goats whose wool has been dyed with indigo. They are afterwards
prepared, cooked, and then placed in serving dishes or on plates as a sacrifice
(as king of the seas, he doesn't get hot food at home)
Agwey likes songs
Takes the form of a Handsome old man
He is known for carrying the soul of Africans who died in
the Slave trade.
Possession, Agwe can summoned for possession, and its described
as a benevolent helpful
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