Maman Brigitte Explained

Type:Voodoo
Maman Brigitte
God Of:Lwa of life, death, cemeteries, healing, and justice/vengeance
Member Of:Guede
Other Names:Grandma Brigitte, Manman, Maman Brijit, Grann (or Gran) Brigitte, Brigitte, Manman Brijit
Abode:Voodoo underworld
Mantra:Banda
Animals:Black rooster, horse
Symbol:Rum, hot peppers, fire, gravestones, crosses
Tree:Elm, weeping willow
Color:Purple, black, green
Consort:Baron Samedi
Offspring:Guede Nibo (adopted)
Gender:Female
Christian Equivalent:Brigid of Kildare
Mary Magdalene
Equivalent1 Type:Yoruba
Equivalent1:Oya

Maman Brigitte (English: Mother Brigitte) sometimes also written as Manman Brigitte and also known by Gran Brigitte, Grann Brigitte, Manman, Manman Brigit, and Maman Brijit is a death loa (or lwa) and the consort of Baron Samedi in Haitian Vodou. She drinks rum infused with hot peppers and is symbolized by a black rooster.[1] Maman Brigitte protects graves in Haitian cemeteries that are marked by the cross of Baron Samedi.[2] [3] Graves that are protected by Brigitte are marked by a mound of stones. In Vodou practice, the first burials serve as offerings to either Baron Samedi or Maman Brigitte depending on the gender of the person being laid to rest. If the deceased person is male then the grave is dedicated to Baron Samedi; if the deceased person is female then the grave is dedicated to Maman Brigitte.

Like Samedi and the Guede, she is foul-mouthed.[4] She is also the adoptive mother of Guede Nibo.

Due to the religious persecution of enslaved African and Caribbean people in Haiti and the Americas, Maman Brigitte was disguised via syncretism and represented by various saints, usually those depicted with fire or snakes, including Brigid of Kildare and, less frequently, Mary Magdalene.[1]

In other media

Video games

Television

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Torres, Rafael Agustí. "Loas y Vèvès del Vudú", pp. 30-31 (in Spanish)
  2. Book: Métraux, Alfred . Voodoo in Haiti . Sphere Books . 1974 . 0805208941 . 70.
  3. Book: Deren, Maya . Divine horsemen: the living gods of Haiti . 1983 . McPherson . 0-914232-64-9 . New Paltz, NY . 103 . 9830272.
  4. http://www.meta-religion.com/World_Religions/Voodoo/ancestors.htm "The Ancestral Lwa - Baron, Maman Brigitte, And The Lwa Ghede"
  5. CD Projekt RED. Cyberpunk 2077. Video Game, Multi-Platform. Poland, CD Projekt S.A., 2020.
  6. Web site: Maman Brigitte A Closer Look . 2023-09-29 . www.smitegame.com .