Gran Bwa

Haitian Vodou · deity · Haitian Vodou traditional religion; continuing · deity

THE SAME LEAVES HEAL AND HARM, AND THE SOURCE SAYS SO OUTRIGHT; the record carries both and does not moralise either. His role in the Haitian secret societies is what places him among the master magicians, and it is recorded as the source states it.

Domains

the forest
herbs and roots
healing
sorcery
initiation

Relations

of the master magicians with: Mèt Kalfou
of the kanzo rite with: Manbo Ayizan Velekete

Sources

Reference treatment of Gran Bwa: Grand Bois, 'great wood', also Grans Bwa, Bran Bwa and Ganga-Bois, is an elemental, nature-oriented lwa closely associated with trees, plants and herbs in Haitian Vodou; he is master of the forest, especially the wilderness and the mysteries it holds, governs the leaves and roots used for both healing and harming, and is revered as a powerful healer and magician; he plays an important role in the kanzo initiatory cycle of asson-lineage Vodou, and along with Kalfou and Baron is often counted among the master magicians of the lwa, because of their role in the Haitian secret societies.

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