A Vodou-tyle lamp is known as an "illuminasyon." I am fortunate to have some photos of an "illuminasyon" to share on this website.
Illuminasyons are a traditional form of offering used in the religion of Haitian Vodou. They are used to work with the lwa in order to achieve a goal.
These lamps are "hotter" than candles. In Vodou, they are believed, therefore, to work stronger and faster than a "setting a light" (candle burning).
There is more than one way to make an illuminasyon, depending on its purpose and to which of the lwa it is offered to. This paticular illuminasyon was offered on a Saturday.
Here, cotton wicks are set in a metal dish of oil, in this case a mixture of olive oil with a drizzle of castor oil. The dish is set in a larger wash basin pan of cool water.
In the wash basin pan of water, there were sliced apples and pears, and six marichino cherries, and a goodly sprinkle of ground cinnamon spice. The fruit and cinnamon in the water served as an offering. A note with appropriate Catholic prayers and four little equal armed crosses on the corners of the pages was placed in the pan of water. Also added to wash basin pan was a second note with a petition to request whoever was playfully interfering in the completion of a project to pl-eea-se stop doing so.
I'm sorry the fruit in the water is not visible in the photo. A plate of food was placed next to the illuminasyon. (It isn't very visible in this photo.)
The plate of food is a little more visible in this photo. On the plate is some wonderful "pulled pork" and a slice of delicious "rum cake." This offering was made after the illuminasyon had been burning awhile. It was placed there to share some of the dinner food with the lwa.
The fully prepared illuminasyon is presented when it is first lit to the four cardinal directions. The person making the illuminasyon presents it by stepping in a special traditional cross-shaped pattern. As the illuminasyon could "slosh" as well as be a fire hazard, mindful care should be observed during the presentation. Then the still lit lamp is placed on a sturdy surface and allowed to burn in order to encourage the spirits to fulfill the request.
copyright 2012 Myth Woodling
Basic Illuminasyon
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