Vodou Lwa Ogou Balendjo

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

♥ 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.

♥ Ogou Balendjo: Naval Healer, Protector & Elder of the Nago Nation

Ogou Balendjo is a Lwa of the Nago nation, also served in the Rada rites. He is a great healer and considered a “wet Ogou,” second in command to Osanj of Agwe’s navy. Ogou Balendjo is an elder man, well past middle age, known for his mild and amiable nature. He grants resistance to poisons and protects travelers—especially those journeying by sea. Unlike other Ogou spirits, he does not grant fame or power, but offers quiet strength and healing.

♥ Symbols & Attributes

Triangle and signaling flags

♥ Colors

Red and white; yellow in the North and Northwest

♥ Clothing

Uniform of a naval captain

♥ Sacred Spaces

Altar Tree: Medsin Baye (Jatropha Gossipifolia)

♥ Sacrificial Animals

White sheep and rooster

♥ Offerings

Yam (boiled or broiled), roasted corn and peanuts, bread, cookies

♥ Ritual Drinks

Rum

♥ Veneration Day & Luminary

Wednesday (some say Tuesday)
White or yellow candle

♥ Catholic Saint Counterparts

St. James and St. Phillip

♥ Characteristics & Manifestations

Ogou Balendjo is a gentle yet powerful elder. He is a healer, protector, and guide for those who travel by sea. His possessions are rare and marked by calm authority. Though he does not offer fame or dominance, his blessings are deeply felt in the form of resilience, safety, and spiritual clarity.

♥ Greetings

Ayibobo! Awoshe Nago!

♥ 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:

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.