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

♥ 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.

♥ Gran Bwa: Master of the Forest & Keeper of Mysteries

Gran Bwa is the master of the forest, especially the wilderness and all the mysteries it holds. He governs the leaves and roots used for both healing and harming, and is revered as a powerful healer and magician. Gran Bwa resides deep in the woods and is known to bestow the gifts of clairvoyance and prophecy. He collaborates with both Kalfou and the Bawon, and is a master of the secret societies. Possessions by Gran Bwa are often violent affairs.

♥ Symbols & Attributes

Tree leaves

Gran Bwa, Vodou Lwa of the forest and healing mysteries, shown with Saint Sebastian—his Catholic counterpart. This image, honored at Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans, reflects his role as protector of sacred herbal knowledge and master of the wilderness. — Depiction of Gran Bwa, the master of the forest in Haitian Vodou, shown with tree leaves and wilderness motifs. This image blends traditional Vodou iconography with Catholic Saint Sebastian, his syncretic counterpart. Honored at Erzulie’s Voodoo in New Orleans, it reflects Gran Bwa’s healing power, clairvoyance, and mastery of herbal mysteries.

♥ Colors

Red and green

♥ Sacred Spaces

Altar: Offerings for Gran Bwa are placed in a straw satchel (makout) and hung from a tree branch in the woods.

♥ Offerings

Most root vegetables—roasted (boukan)—placed in a straw satchel (makout) and hung outside from a tree limb.

♥ Ritual Drinks

Kleren (raw white cane rum), whiskey, and in some lineages, dark rum.

♥ Veneration Day & Luminary

Saturday
Yellow beeswax candle (boudji)

♥ Catholic Saint Counterpart

St. Sebastian

♥ Characteristics & Manifestations

Gran Bwa is a great healer and powerful magician. He resides in the deepest parts of the forest and is known for his mastery of herbal medicine and spiritual mysteries. He is a solitary force, often invoked for protection, healing, and insight. Possessions by Gran Bwa are intense and often violent, reflecting the raw power of the wilderness he governs.

♥ Greetings

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 Gran Bwa