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Petro is the second portion of a Vodou service, and is considered more intense. The Lwa honored here
originate both in Africa and in the New World. A very few others who don't fit logically elsewhere (meaning, we don't know their origin), are called and honored here as well.
The Petro African nations include Nago, Kongo, Gola (Angolan), and Kreyol (Haitian). Karen
McCarthy Brown described these Lwa as military or foreigners. And indeed, given the large Ogou group, one can easily see this distinction here. Here we find the African Ogou reimagined as Ogou Feray,
Ossange, Batala, Badagris and others too numerous to mention.
The New World Lwa retained some of their slavery attributes: the Lwa Ti Jean Petro plays with fire,
demonstrating his invincibility to the flames. This is a remnant of field punishment. Slaves were often burnt in a stook (bundle) of sugar cane as a punishment for unruly behavior or running. The
Lwa Maynette comes with broken hands and feet, a show of the punishment meted out for her participation in the Bois Caiman rite.
Red is the preferred color of the Petro nations – again, with a second color added in for
distinction. Military uniforms, field whips and whistle, all the shrill calls of slave times are here in the service of the Petro section.
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