Vodou Lwa Simbi

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

♥ 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.

♥ Simbi: Master Magician & Spirit of Fresh Waters

Simbi is a powerful and diverse family of Lwa served primarily in the Petwo rites. The name Simbi encompasses many manifestations, including Papa Simbi, Simbi Andezo, Simbi Anpaka, Simbi Anpola, Simbi Makaya, and others. Though each incarnation varies, Simbi is foremost a spirit of fresh water—springs, streams, and wells—and a consummate magician. He lends his power to many Houngan, Manbo, and Bokò, and is revered as a master of sorcery and spiritual communication.

♥ Symbols & Attributes

Clay jar of water, dagger, small green snake (varies by incarnation and rite)

♥ Colors

Red and white, white and green, red and black (varies by incarnation and rite)

♥ Sacred Spaces

Altar: Source of springs, gate of the temple
Altar Tree: Almondyè (Prunis Dulcis)

♥ Sacrificial Animals

Rooster and hen called “zinga”; black Kreyòl pig with white spots (masarin) (varies by incarnation and rite)

♥ Offerings

Most everything edible

♥ Ritual Drinks

White wine for Papa Simbi; kleren (raw white cane rum) for Simbi Andezo

♥ Veneration Days & Luminary

Thursday and Saturday
White candle for Papa Simbi; red candle or bonfire/fire fueled by liquor for Simbi Andezo

♥ Catholic Saint Counterpart

St. Christopher (especially for Simbi Andezo, the Simbi in Two Waters)

♥ Characteristics & Manifestations

Simbi is mercurial and complex. Some of his forms are shy, lingering outside the hounfò until coaxed in; others are fiery and bellicose. Simbi Makaya is especially tied to the hotter Petwo rites and secret societies. Possessions by Simbi range from mild to violent and often require great effort to manifest. He is a spirit of mystery, mastery, and transformation—never predictable, always potent.

♥ Greetings

Adje-o! 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:

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.

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