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Kanzo is a very big deal, both in Vodou and in life. A commitment is not something you should make lightly. An oath taken cannot be broken. By entering into Kanzo, you are starting a relationship with the Lwa. They are alive, sentient beings, who require dedication, commitment and monogamy in from their servitors. One doesn’t simply toss an offering to the Lwa and then go off to a party somewhere.
We are always asked about “later”, as in “What comes later?” Work is my usual reply. Much work. When you kanzo, you are embarking on a mystical voyage of love, devotion and dedication with a particular energy. Give that Energy all you can and it will reward you with guidance, clarity, balance and even opportunities galore. Ignore it, and you risk the opposite - lack of focus, depleted energy and a life that seems to derail whenever possible.
All this is not to scare you off, but to give you clarity right up front. To quote Yoda, “Do, or do not.” It’s that simple -- and yes, that complex. So let me lay down a couple of guide lines to help you manage your expectation of what follows Kanzo.
After your Batem, you are like a brand new battery, fully charged and ready to go. To give that charge the best possible opportunity to manifest in your life, you will have a few restrictions to follow. Some dietary ones (like no salt, for example) and some personal ones (like no sexual contact) for 40 days following the kanzo. This isn’t designed to punish you, but rather, to help you settle into and absorb the new charge that we’ve given you.
In our house, you will also have a few wardrobe restrictions. Modesty is probably the biggest one for folks to get their minds around. But you are not alone anymore. In fact, you’ve been partnered with an energy that is very protective and wants only you for Themselves. To satisfy this desire, you need to stay focused, to keep small in the world for now, and to be Theirs. That translates as a particular color to wear, a way of dressing and a mode of behavior that may require things like no bar hopping for those 40 days.
When your 40 days of restrictions are done, we hold a Desounen Kolye, to finish your kanzo rites properly. The Desounen Kolye is done to feed the ritual items you receive, placate the Lwa and send you off with a full set of tools to begin your journey in the world of Vodou.
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Congratulations on becoming a Hounsi Kanzo in Sosyete du Marche! Your restrictions are the same as we outlined above. Once you have Desounen Kolye, you are required to attend all fets of the house, and to help out at classes for Circle One students. You will be expected to know the Priye Ginen, the first 55 songs of the house reglemen and to be able to accurately salute the Lwa when they arrive in service.
Congratulations on becoming a SuPwen Kanzo in Sosyete du Marche! Your restrictions are the same as we outlined above. Once you have Desounen Kolye, you are required to attend all fets of the house, and to help out at classes for Circle One students. You will be expected to know the Priye Ginen, the first 100 songs of the house reglemen and to be able to accurately lead service segments along with Mambo and Houngan.
Congratulations on becoming an Asogwe Kanzo in Sosyete du Marche! Your restrictions are the same as we outlined above. After Desounen Kolye, you are required to attend all fets of the house, and to help out at classes for Circle One students. You will be expected to know the Priye Ginen, the 200 songs of the house reglemen and to be able to accurately lead monthly fets at the Temple.