Sobo and Bade are uniquely connected in the Vodou pantheon. Sobo is often referred to as the lwa of rain, while Bade is the lwa of wind. A better interpretation would be to say that both Sobo and Bade are escorts of Gran Met, for they rule in the sky, where Gran Met is thought to reside.

Their method of expressing themselves corresponds to what is said in the history of Haiti - that they would rather swallow their tongue than accept slavery. The epic of Thermopyles is a good example on the human plane. The Greeks held the gates of Thermopyles and died, rather than surrender to the Persians. The same could be said of Haiti.

Sobo is taken from the African So-Gbo, whose symbol is the blazing ram, which represents thunder. Sobo is the great judge of the houmphor, which he either rewards or destroys depending on his mood. He is the master of rain, and by his martial emblem of lightening, do kanzo candidates approach their initiation. Bade is the counter part of Sobo, ruling the wind.

On the evening of my suleliye, the lightening and wind rose in a fury around me as we crossed open fields under the dark skies. Sobo and Bade were obviously blessing me on my initiatory journey. I was grateful for their companionship, even as I was terrified of their fury and power.