The Rada Rite in Haiti

Chapter 3 analyzes the history and content of the Rada Rite, including its ceremony, cycles of salutation, stations of salutation, and rituals. The names of 102 Rada Rite spirits are provided with linguistic and cultural features. The chapter includes 25 Haitian Creole and English facing-page songs by the contemporary Vodou group “Rasin Figuier” that focus on Rada Rite themes and spirits, including Ginen, ounsi kanzo (“initiates”), Papa Legba, Gran Chemen, Marasa, Lesen, Bondye (“God”), Loko, the angel Gabriel, Agaou, Ayizan, Danbala Wèdo, Ayida Wèdo, Vodou flags, the white of Rada, Èzili Freda, Agwe Tawoyo, Nago Rite songs for Ogou Balizay and Olicha, plus a few chante pwen (“songs of criticism”) that address political feuding, literacy, and national unity. The method of Vodou hermeneutics reads in history, religious studies, linguistics, literary criticism, and ethnomusicology to interpret Rasin Figuier’s Rada songs focused on life, order, and rootedness.