Ranks in Haitian Vodou

Many people don’t understand why the ranks in Vodou are different. What the different responsibilities and sacrifices that one must make at each level mean. That is also why so many people have decided to become Houngans and Mambos in an instant, before they really know what it requires. Very few have explained what it really entails.

Hounsi Lave Tet
This is an initiate that receives the Lave Tet ceremonies, which are also known as the Sevis Tet. Anyone can receive this ceremony as it is very beneficial no matter what stage of spiritual development you have achieved.

One of the many benefits of this ceremony is that it can be performed here in the United States, unlike the ceremonies for the Kanzo ranks. The Lave Tet also gives your Lwa, which walk with you, recognition. It refreshes and strengthens, assisting and empowering the Lwa to help you more. A person who receives the Lave Tet gets a strong spiritual cleansing, that no other cleansing can even compare to. It baptizes the head, making it more receptive to possession, enhancing psychic ability, and spiritually giving the person a clean slate.

The Lave Tet requires three and a half days of commitment in terms of time. During the ceremony, the person’s Met Tet, or Master of the Head, will be divined through a special ritual. This Lwa serves to protect and guide the individual. It too is also strengthened and empowered. Other Lwa that walk with the individual are also divined and revealed to the individual. All the person’s Lwa are fed, strengthened and reinforced. It aligns the spiritual forces of that person, giving them a sort of “spiritual antenna” to connect with the Lwa. The Hounsi Lave Tet is then a member of the Vodou Society. However, the tie that binds the individual and the initiator is not the same as the one in the Kanzo. The Lave Tet recipient is free to leave the Society and go off on his or her own. It is respect that binds the individuals together, however either party may decide to end the relationship.

A Hounsi Lave Tet has the following responsibilities:
To serve his or her Met Tet and the Spirits that walk with him/her To set up an altar to them To take care of their Po Tet (Head Pot) To attend ceremonies at their initiator’s home/temple (if the relationship is kept between initiate and initiator) Some people decide to receive the Lave Tet for the following reasons:


 * To align themselves with their Lwa
 * To have their Met Tet and other Lwa divined
 * To ease possession
 * To refresh their head and Lwa
 * To give their Lwa the proper attention
 * To receive a strong cleansing
 * To strengthen their Lwa

Hounsi Kanzo
The Hounsi Kanzo undergoes the Kanzo ceremony. The word Kanzo actually refers to a specific part of the ceremony where the person undergoes a trial by fire. This makes one not only a member of the Society but also a member of that spiritual family. This ceremony is also referred to as Simple Kanzo (Kanzo Senp) or just Kanzo.

A person becoming a Hounsi may be looking to receive a strong form of protection. They may also undergo the Kanzo to deal with their Lwa in a more firm manner. The Hounsi Kanzo undergoes everything an initiate at the rank of the Lave Tet ceremony undergoes, and then some more ceremonies. The person may be looking to improve their health, finances, love life, and more.

The majority of the ceremony is secret so not much can be said, but in addition to what happens with a Hounsi Lave Tet, this person also undergoes the trial by fire, giving them a protection that the former does not have. This initiation can only be done in Haiti.

In addition to the reasons above, a person may become Hounsi Kanzo for the following reasons:

In addition to the above responsibilities, the person also:
 * To form a stable bond with a Vodou family
 * To improve their life
 * To receive a strong form of protection
 * To bless their family by receiving the ceremony


 * Must go to ceremonies at their Initiators House
 * Must assist in preparation for the ceremonies
 * Must do spiritual chores for the House
 * (for example, iron the garments of the initiates,

assist in cooking the Lwa’s food, physically and spiritually cleanse the house before ceremonies, etc)
 * Be able to sing the Priye Ginen.

Houngan/Mambo Sou Pwen
In addition to the previous ceremonies, a Houngan or Mambo Sou Pwen has also received additional ceremonies.

He or she is given an Asson to “borrow”. They can use the Asson, but they cannot confer it.

Being Sou Pwen is a huge responsibility! Very few really know that, but it is. A Sou Pwen initiate can serve in a House in a variety of positions. He may be Laplace or Houngenikon. He or she might be the one who dresses the Lwa, or gives them the bottles and mushoirs. There are many roles he or she must be able to fulfill, therefore, there is much to learn. In addition to the above responsibilities, the person will also need to feed and make blood sacrifices to his/her Lwa. He or she will also need to hold dances for his or her Lwa, and assist in performing ceremonies with his/her initiator. They will also need to know everything the ranks below them know as well as the knowledge of their own rank, plus be able to sing and lead the Priye Ginen.

People that become Sou Pwen can work for friends and family. Some of them keep a small clientele of close people as well, but most work for themselves, friends, and family. He or she can usually work a regular job during the day.

Houngan/Mambo Asogwe
In addition to all the ceremonies above, the person will need to undergo even more ceremonies. Most importantly, the suleliye. Here they will receive the asson from Papa Loko and be able to confer it to others. They will be fully empowered to work with it as well.

They must know how to do all of the above. In addition, they will need to know how to perform a Kanzo themselves and confer the asson. They will need to create new initiates within the tradition. They will also need to know how to perform all ceremonies, cleansings,baths, protections, gads, wanga, kanzos, lave tets, etc. They must know and be able to lead the Priye, lead an entire dance with ceremonial order, and more. This, of course, takes time to learn, but it must be learned.

In addition, Houngans and Mambos Asogwe work for themselves, their friends, their families, and clients. In fact, every Houngan and Mambo will eventually be unable to work a regular job: Doctor, Lawyer, Nurse, Janitor, Mechanic, etc. The Lwa will make them work for them and them only. They will work for the Spirit.

They cannot act like other people.

Let me teach you a little lesson, in the form of examples. A Houngan or Mambo is never tired. The more they work, the more they have left to do. They must be upstanding individuals with a good moral structure. They must be able to tolerate even the worst of conditions, and without complaint. When one becomes a Houngan or Mambo Asogwe, one leaves all complaints and excuses behind. There are no excuses and there are no complaints. They must hold yearly ceremonies for their Lwa. Sacrifice animals. It can be 2 AM but if the Lwa says he or she wants some rum now, you must get out of bed and get it for him/her. You must perform accurate readings and great wanga. Houngans and Mambos rarely get mad, that is unacceptable. Anger equals temper tantrums, and none of those are allowed. God must come first. Then the Lwa. Then everything and everyone else. You must know how to serve every Lwa, and everything about them. You must contribute to your community. Attend all ceremonies. You will also need to learn how to do things and do them correctly at a very fast pace. THAT is what being a Houngan or Mambo entails.

Think carefully before you jump into a rank that you cannot handle. There is much work and many responsibilities. You have your whole life to become an initiate. Slow down, learn, and take your time.