— SACRED TIME —

Fèt Gede

November 1–2 · Haitian Vodou · Peoples and regions

Fixed date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Festival of the Gede lwa, spirits of the dead led by Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte: obscenity, irony, and vitality as an antidote to the fear of death.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Dressing in black, purple, and white.
·Banda dance and songs at the cemetery, by Baron's cross.
·Piquant: chili-infused rum poured and tasted.

Traditional foods

·Spicy rum (kleren piman)
·Bread, peanuts
·Black coffee without sugar

Offerings

·Rum, coffee, tobacco, bread on the grave
·Baron's cross fed with candles

Taboos to respect

·Do not take yourself seriously in front of the Gede
·Do not promise offerings that you will not bring

Associated symbols

Top hat and dark glasses · Cemetery cross · Chili pepper · Purple