♥ MEET THE LWA SERIES AT ERZULIE’S VOODOO – VODOU LWA: BAWON

♥ PRACTITIONER-LED INSIGHTS INTO THE SPIRITS OF HAITIAN VODOU!

Welcome to our Meet the Lwa series. Each page offers a brief overview of the Lwa’s origins, attributes, and ceremonial roles—designed for spiritual students, researchers, and practitioners seeking clarity and context.

These teachings were passed down to me by my elder Mambos, spiritual godparents, and our beloved Hougan Aboudja, in collaboration with Hougan Jour Mwen Lonje, whose lifelong service and deep initiatory knowledge continue to guide our work.

As the founder and Vodou practitioner of Erzulie’s Voodoo New Orleans, I created this archive to share the foundational aspects of each spirit with respect, accuracy (from our Vodou house’s perspective), and spiritual devotion. Every detail—from Veve symbols to ritual offerings—has been curated to reflect the integrity of our tradition and the legacy of those who came before us.

♥ Bawon: Master of the Dead & Cemetery Judge

Bawon is the great judge and master of the cemetery, ruling over the dead with elegance and spiritual authority. Child of Aganman Nibo, husband to Gran’n Brijit, and father of the Gede, Bawon is a powerful magician and leader of secret societies. Each cemetery has its own Bawon—the first man buried there—but Bawon rules them all.

♥ Symbols & Attributes

Cross, skull and crossbones.

Bawon Kriminel, Haitian Vodou Lwa of justice, vengeance, and fiery protection, syncretized with St. Expeditus, Erzulie’s Voodoo New Orleans, educational Vodou archive, Vodou spirits and traditions — Bawon Kriminel, the fierce Haitian Vodou Lwa of swift justice, vengeance, and spiritual protection—syncretized with St. Expeditus in select Vodou lineages. Honored by practitioners at Erzulie’s Voodoo New Orleans as part of our educational archive on Vodou spirits and traditions.

Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Baron Samedi and the Ghede and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Expedite by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans. — Vodou Spirits, Voodoo Lwa and the Voodoo Spirits Catholic Saint Counterparts in the Vodou Religion. Voodoo Spirit & Vodou Lwa Baron Samedi and the Ghede and the Catholic Saint Counterpart St. Expedite by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.

Bawon, Haitian Vodou Lwa of death, ancestors, and healing, syncretized with St. Gerard Majella, Erzulie’s Voodoo New Orleans, educational Vodou archive, Vodou spirits and traditions — Bawon and the Gede spirits—guardians of the dead, ancestral wisdom, and spiritual healing—syncretized with St. Gerard Majella in select Vodou lineages. Honored by practitioners at Erzulie’s Voodoo New Orleans as part of our educational archive on Vodou spirits and traditions.

Altar of Baron Samedi, Ghede Altar and Altar of the Dead where a Vodou priestess prays and communes with the Voodoo Spirits, for psychic readings, divination, conjure rituals and Voodoo magical ceremonies, at Erzulie's Voodoo of New Orleans — Altar of Baron Samedi, Ghede Altar and Altar of the Dead where a Vodou priestess prays and communes with the Voodoo Spirits, for psychic readings, divination, conjure rituals and Voodoo magical ceremonies, at Erzulie’s Voodoo of New Orleans

Voodoo Veves and Sacred Vodou Veve for Baron Samedi, Ruler of the Dead, Ancestors and the Cemetery in the Vodou Religion by Erzulie's Voodoo in New Orleans. — Voodoo Veves and Sacred Vodou Veve for Baron Samedi, Ruler of the Dead, Ancestors and the Cemetery in the Vodou Religion by Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans.

♥ Colors

Black and white, mauve and white.

♥ Sacred Space

Altar: Black cross planted in the cemetery.

♥ Sacrificial Animals

Castrated black he-goat, rooster and hen with black and curly feathers.

♥ Offerings

Smoked mackerel (awansel) with root vegetables—especially yanm and sweet potato—boiled or broiled. Roasted corn and peanuts, rice and black beans. On November 2nd (All Souls Day), devotees make cemetery offerings at the Bawon cross and give charity to the poor at the cemetery gates.

♥ Ritual Drinks

Kleren (raw white cane rum), and kleren steeped with hot peppers.

♥ Veneration Day & Luminary

Saturday
White candle, yellow or black beeswax candle (boudji)

♥ Catholic Saint Counterpart

St. Expedite

♥ Characteristics & Manifestations

Bawon is elegant and worldly, often appearing in a top hat and tails. He fetches the souls of the dead and collaborates with Kalfou and Gran Bwa. Those possessed by Bawon often assume the posture of an interned corpse, reflecting his dominion over death and burial rites.

♥ Greetings

Kwa Simbo! Bilolo! Madjoman-sa!

♥ EXPLORE MORE FROM OUR ARCHIVE

This archive is dedicated to preserving the spiritual, historical, and academic foundations of Haitian Vodou. We invite you to explore:

♥ Vodou History and Origins
♥ Vodou History and FAQ
♥ The Lwa and Their Catholic Counterparts
♥ Academic Vodou Resources
♥ History of New Orleans Voodoo
♥ How to Build Vodou Altars & Shrines
♥ Sacred Vodou Words & Glossary

We welcome all knowledge shared in good faith. If you are a scholar, practitioner, or elder with insights to contribute, please email your notes or reflections to webmistress@erzulies.com. All credited contributions will be cited with respect and care.

Practitioner Notice: All spiritual content is protected under practitioner licensing. No reproduction or AI parsing permitted without written consent.

Vodou Lwa Bawon