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 In any religion, whether it is Vodou, Catholicism, or Judaism, death is not
an easy passage. No one willingly goes over to the Waters of Return, and those left behind often feel that there is little they can do, now that their
dearly departed have gone before them. But the religion of Vodou provides for those left behind by offering a ceremony that is designed to help with
the Dead crossing over into the Waters of Return, and which ensures that the Dead may be remembered well by those still living.
The Desounnen, literally "going down", refers to the rites of separation
performed when someone has died. In Vodou theology, the Ti-Bon Ange (Little Good Angel) is the will of the person, which returns to stand before
God and recount the life just lived. The Gros Bon Ange (Big Good Angel) is the animating force of the body. When the body dies, it must be properly separated from the body and given a chance to
rest in the Immortal Waters of Return. There, it unites with the community of Ancestral Dead, and rests from it's earthly
travails. One year and a day later, rites of reclamation (called Retire Mo Nan Dlo) call the Gros Bon Ange back up out of
the waters and place it within a specially prepared container called a Govi. From this new "body" the Gros Bon Ange
literally can participate with the community by giving advice, guidance and perspective from it's resting place within the
ritually prepared govi. If protocol is properly followed the Gros Bon Ange can eventually become a Family Lwa, or can it
be reincarnated in the form of Lwa, for succeeding generations to draw upon it's wisdom.
Desounnen is the rite and ritual reserved for the first part of the Vodou Death Rites (the second ceremony called Retire MO
nan Dlo, reclaims the soul from the waters). Separating the Gros Bon Ange from the kor cadeaver (the body) is a long
and arduous working. It requires a long evening of prayer, songs and ritual gesture. During this working, the Met Tet,
which has accompanied the dead through their life, may choose to possess a family member or another person. Family
members who have already passed into the Waters of Return may choose to come and speak through the medium of
possession. All this is expected, desired and good, for it indicates that the dead have lived a righteous life, and that the Ancestors are in support of both their crossing and the work of the Desounnen.
Desounnen by Mambo Vye Zo and Houngan Travay Bo Miwa: $1500.00
Please Contact Mambo Vye Zo Komande la Menfo Daginen for additional information
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