Art forms created for use in religious ritual are incredibly powerful works. In the case of voudou, the traditional banners or flags are no exception, and they synthesize the symbolism embodied in African tradition, Roman Catholicism, Masonic symbology, and Arawak Indian influences.
These flags have a central role in voudou ceremonies, complex rituals in which a strict protocol must be observed. At the beginning of a ritual, banners are produced from a secret place, and are brought forward by hounsis - apprentice mambos, or voudou priestesses. The latter are usually accompanied by a machete-weilding assistant. The hounsis wave the shimmering flags in the candlelight to summon the loas to whom the cermony is dedicated. They also signal the transition from the real to the spiritual world, creating the state which allows the loa(s) to appear and "mount," or possess, participants in the ceremony.
Haitian Vevé banners, designed by Voudou priests or houngans, are made of satin or silk (rarely in antique flags), and embroidered with sequins, beads, and seed pearls in brilliant and iridescent colors. Vevé refers to the fragile line drawing executed in cornmeal, soot, coffee grounds, or brick dust on the floor of the hounfor, or voudou temple to represent or summon the various loas, or spirits. The Vevé banners contain the same symbols, but in a more detailed and colorful elaboration.
Most of these artists are anonymous, or use only their initials, as these artworks are not personal works of art, but rather sacred religious works, not for individual attribution or acclaim.
Select the image above to go to our voodoo flag exhibit.
As an indication of the attention these flags are attracting among collectors, the Fowler Museum in Los Angeles is currently running an exhibit devoted to this medium, including a superb catalog. If you would like more detailed information, please see our bibiliography.
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