Papa Loko Atissou, is the Patron lwa of all houngans. In reglamen, he is honored after Legba and
Marasa. Loko was the primary or first houngan, and legend says he was a human who ascended to the status of Lwa over time. Loko is also a tree that grows in Benin, Africa, and is said to reach
enormous heights, some 15 meters. Therefore, Loko is also the Lwa of the Poto Mitan, the center post of the peristyle, where the Lwa come down to be with the Vodou congregation.
It is Papa Loko who confers the asson, the
beaded rattle of priesthood to the Kanzo initiates. His symbols include the tree, the poto mitan and the rooster. He is syncretized with St. Joseph as the father figure, for he is the father of all kanzo initiates.
Loko's colors are yellow and white, and he is often fetted on St. Joseph's day on March 15.
Sosyete du Marche's altar to Papa Loko at his fet in March 2005
Papa Loko Atissou, is the Patron lwa of all houngans. In reglamen, he is honored after Legba and
Marasa. Loko was the primary or first houngan, and legend says he was a human who ascended to the status of Lwa over time. Loko is also a tree that grows in Benin, Africa, and is said to reach
enormous heights, some 15 meters. Therefore, Loko is also the Lwa of the Poto Mitan, the center post of the peristyle, where the Lwa come down to be with the Vodou congregation.
It is Papa Loko who confers the asson, the
beaded rattle of priesthood to the Kanzo initiates. His symbols include the tree, the poto mitan and the rooster. He is syncretized with St. Joseph as the father figure, for he is the father of all kanzo initiates.