Maman Brigitte

Maman Brigitte (English: Mother Brigitte) also written Gran Brigitte, Grann Brigitte, Manman, Manman Brigit, and Maman Brijit, is a death loa and the consort of Baron Samedi in Haitian Vodou. She drinks rum infused with hot peppers and is symbolized by a black rooster.[1] Like Samedi and the Ghede, she is foul-mouthed.[2] She is also the adoptive mother of Ghede Nibo.[1]

Maman Brigitte
Goddess of life, death, justice, motherhood, fertility, cemeteries, crosses, gravestones, women, souls of deceased relatives, obscenities, passion
Member of Ghede
Veve for Maman Brigitte
Other namesGrandma Brigitte, Manman, Maman Brijit, Grann (or Gran) Brigitte, Brigitte, Manman Brijit
AbodeVoodoo underworld
MantraBanda
AnimalsBlack rooster, horse
SymbolRum, hot peppers, fire, gravestones, crosses
TreeElm, weeping willow
ColorPurple, black, green
GenderFemale
ConsortBaron Samedi
OffspringGhede Nibo (adopted)
Equivalents
Christian equivalentBrigid of Kildare
Mary Magdalene
Yoruba equivalentOya
Celtic equivalentBrigid

Due to the religious persecution of slaves in Haiti and the Americas, Maman Brigitte has been syncretized and represented by various saints, usually those depicted with fire or snakes, including Brigid of Kildare and Mary Magdalene, although she is usually syncretized with Saint Brigid.[1]

Inspired by many Irish myths and legends, Maman Brigitte originates from Ireland and is the only loa said to be inspired by Irish myth compared to other gods which all originate strictly from Africa. Maman Brigitte is the goddess of death who cares for the dead more than they were ever loved while living. As she wants to send a message to not forget the dead, Brigitte always respects those who respect the dead. Being a mother, she helps lost souls and spirits that are trapped and helps them find their way.[3]

Maman Brigette is mentioned in the novel Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward.[4]

References
  1. Torres, Rafael Agustí. "Loas y Vèvès del Vudú", pp. 30-31 (in Spanish)
  2. "The Ancestral Lwa - Baron, Maman Brigitte, And The Lwa Ghede", Meta Religion.
  3. "Maman Brigitte: The Vodou Loa of Death". Strangilla. Archived from the original on 2019-09-29.
  4. Ward, Jesmyn. Sing, Unburied, Sing.

Further reading
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