Vodou Questions

[aranarose]

*note* That's the spelling I use :) Any spelling is covered :lol:

This thread is for questions about Vodou/Voodoo, and hopefully we can get some answers in here! I won't be answering them :lol: Though I certainly want to learn!

Question: How does one go about finding a house? I live in Michigan, and there are no houses in the area that I know of. I would love to get some "formal" training in Vodou, I feel strongly pulled to it (Erzulie Freda Dahomey just will NOT leave me alone!) I've done some research, and I'm going to snag a lot of the books that are in the recommended reading thread, but I want something a bit more hands on, without having to travel, because right now, I can't afford to travel!

[DixieWitch]

Question: How does one go about finding a house? I live in Michigan, and there are no houses in the area that I know of. I would love to get some "formal" training in Vodou, I feel strongly pulled to it (Erzulie Freda Dahomey just will NOT leave me alone!) I've done some research, and I'm going to snag a lot of the books that are in the recommended reading thread, but I want something a bit more hands on, without having to travel, because right now, I can't afford to travel!

I have the same questions. But like you, I'm leaning more towards HooDoo than Vodou, but I would still like to learn without having to travel. I know Vodou is a very secretive type practice...so my question too would be how to find someone in your area? What do you look for? (p.s. I live in Montgomery, AL. if anyone knows anyone here that they could point me to, I'd appreciate it!)

[Teresa]

I have the same questions. But like you, I'm leaning more towards HooDoo than Vodou, but I would still like to learn without having to travel. I know Vodou is a very secretive type practice...so my question too would be how to find someone in your area? What do you look for? (p.s. I live in Montgomery, AL. if anyone knows anyone here that they could point me to, I'd appreciate it!)

I will have to dig through an old address book I have and see if people still live in the same places. Are there any Botanicas near you DW? You can inquire around them as they are a good place to get started in your search.


Aranarose, I know of a good house in Indianapolis, the Mother House is in New York, run by Mambo Marie Carmel in New York City, there are branches of this house in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Chicago, D.C., New Jersey, and New Orleans. I'm not good at geography but maybe something isn't too far from ya. Check with your local Botanicas to see if anyone will tell you about a house in your area.

[Brightshores]

Alright. Stupid question, but I've been wondering. How does one pronounce the word "lwa?"

Brightshores=Dumb. :awilly:

[aranarose]

Alright. Stupid question, but I've been wondering. How does one pronounce the word "lwa?"

Brightshores=Dumb. :awilly:

Exactly the way it's spelled :) Beginning L sound like Love, W sound like Water, A sound like wAter.

Another spelling is Loa, which is pronounced the same way.

At least that's how I learned it.

[Brightshores]

Thanks! :thumbsup: :kooky:

[DixieWitch]

I will have to dig through an old address book I have and see if people still live in the same places. Are there any Botanicas near you DW? You can inquire around them as they are a good place to get started in your search.


I'm not sure. What would be a term I could search for? Would it be listed as Botanica or something else?

[aranarose]

I'm not sure. What would be a term I could search for? Would it be listed as Botanica or something else?

I'm having that problem too. While the area in which I live has a large African-American population, and a decent Latino population as well, I don't know of any good shops in the area. I'll have to look around and see.

Indiana I could probably manage to travel to on occasion.

[DixieWitch]

I'm having that problem too. While the area in which I live has a large African-American population, and a decent Latino population as well, I don't know of any good shops in the area. I'll have to look around and see.

Indiana I could probably manage to travel to on occasion.

The same here...we have a huge African-American AND Latino population here in Montgomery. But I've never looked to see what kind of shops are around. I know there are alot of Latino shops that sale food and other Mexican goodies. But as far as an African shop, I'm not so sure of. I guess it's time to bring out the handy-dandy phone book! And as far as travel, for me it's not an option at the moment. Not only money wise, but time too.

[aranarose]

The same here...we have a huge African-American AND Latino population here in Montgomery. But I've never looked to see what kind of shops are around. I know there are alot of Latino shops that sale food and other Mexican goodies. But as far as an African shop, I'm not so sure of. I guess it's time to bring out the handy-dandy phone book! And as far as travel, for me it's not an option at the moment. Not only money wise, but time too.


Time's not an issue with me. As far as the money, I'm broke as all get out, but I'm working on that :)

[Teresa]

The same here...we have a huge African-American AND Latino population here in Montgomery. But I've never looked to see what kind of shops are around. I know there are alot of Latino shops that sale food and other Mexican goodies. But as far as an African shop, I'm not so sure of. I guess it's time to bring out the handy-dandy phone book! And as far as travel, for me it's not an option at the moment. Not only money wise, but time too.

I know there was a House in Montgomery when I lived there. Let me dig out my old address book and see if I can find some numbers to call and check for you. Im hoping they haven't moved in this amount of time. Botanica would be the key word I would use in a search, If you know of any metaphysical shops you can ask there too.

[DixieWitch]

I know there was a House in Montgomery when I lived there. Let me dig out my old address book and see if I can find some numbers to call and check for you. Im hoping they haven't moved in this amount of time. Botanica would be the key word I would use in a search, If you know of any metaphysical shops you can ask there too.

Yeah...there are no metaphysical shops here. I've lived in this area for 16 years and the closest shops are in Birmingham. I did find an African Food shop tonight. Right next door to a quilt shop I've been dying to go to. But it's exactly that...a food shop! I'm going to keep looking. And I thank you for looking and possibly making calls for me too.

[Teresa]

Yeah...there are no metaphysical shops here. I've lived in this area for 16 years and the closest shops are in Birmingham. I did find an African Food shop tonight. Right next door to a quilt shop I've been dying to go to. But it's exactly that...a food shop! I'm going to keep looking. And I thank you for looking and possibly making calls for me too.

The only thing that is coming ot my mind right ow is Mama Mojos Temple and Shop in Georgia. I will most lekley end up making calls for you and yes It may be Birmingham.

[Artiste-LiLi]

Yeah...there are no metaphysical shops here. I've lived in this area for 16 years and the closest shops are in Birmingham. I did find an African Food shop tonight. Right next door to a quilt shop I've been dying to go to. But it's exactly that...a food shop! I'm going to keep looking. And I thank you for looking and possibly making calls for me too.

It may just be a food SHOP....but the people within it running it and the customers who frequent it are NOT. Many learn of or find their house by word of mouth, by making friends, by *looking for hard to find food items that are commonly or only used in working with the Lwa or in a spiritual practice*. This goes for Mexican, Latino, Cuban, African, Asian, metaphysical, et al.....
IF you are consistently going in looking for these type things (you don't HAVE to tell them what you want it for...they will KNOW), or if you were to ask...oh say....."What Saint candle would be best for healing prayers for a friend who is ill".....the people who are "in the know", who are practitioners ARE going to pick up on you and what you are doing/looking for. They may or may not start a conversation with you about general things. As trust and potentially friendship builds, while you are helping to support their business, they will begin to open up about other things. Be pleasant, be thankful and gracious when in their shop. IF there is something there for you, it will come to you.

[aranarose]

I found an African foods shop in my area :) I've never been there, but it's right on the bus line, so I'm gonna have to start going and see what they've got :)

[DixieWitch]

It may just be a food SHOP....but the people within it running it and the customers who frequent it are NOT. Many learn of or find their house by word of mouth, by making friends, by *looking for hard to find food items that are commonly or only used in working with the Lwa or in a spiritual practice*. This goes for Mexican, Latino, Cuban, African, Asian, metaphysical, et al.....
IF you are consistently going in looking for these type things (you don't HAVE to tell them what you want it for...they will KNOW), or if you were to ask...oh say....."What Saint candle would be best for healing prayers for a friend who is ill".....the people who are "in the know", who are practitioners ARE going to pick up on you and what you are doing/looking for. They may or may not start a conversation with you about general things. As trust and potentially friendship builds, while you are helping to support their business, they will begin to open up about other things. Be pleasant, be thankful and gracious when in their shop. IF there is something there for you, it will come to you.

Well I went in and it's just a food shop! Unless I missed a room! And it was a pretty small shop...only 1 set of shelves about 6 feet long and everything else was on the walls. I'll probably go back later when I'm not rushed by the kids though.

[Teresa]

Here in Charlotte, we have a grocery store called Island Grocery. It is run by a very nice Jamaican family. I do get many of my herbs for workings from them and also some different waters{ Kanga Water, Rose Water, Orange Blossom Water, Florida Water, etc} and my liquid Castile soaps to mix with things. When Artiste-LiLi said they know what it is being used for that is true. You can from a wonderful relationship with those people in time and they will tell you things.

My Husband is hooked on their Chicken Pies LOL !

[Teresa]

I found an African foods shop in my area :) I've never been there, but it's right on the bus line, so I'm gonna have to start going and see what they've got :)

Ask them about red palm oil.

[aranarose]

I would imagine that it would take a bit of time and a few trips of you buying certain types of things in there before they'd open up to you and say anything that might hint about a Vodou/Santeria background. Especially depending on the area, they are probably pretty guarded, and would want to make sure you're trustworthy, and not just some random kid who wants to curse and ex :lol:

[Artiste-LiLi]

I would imagine that it would take a bit of time and a few trips of you buying certain types of things in there before they'd open up to you and say anything that might hint about a Vodou/Santeria background. Especially depending on the area, they are probably pretty guarded, and would want to make sure you're trustworthy, and not just some random kid who wants to curse and ex :lol:

Here in Charlotte, we have a grocery store called Island Grocery. It is run by a very nice Jamaican family. I do get many of my herbs for workings from them and also some different waters{ Kanga Water, Rose Water, Orange Blossom Water, Florida Water, etc} and my liquid Castile soaps to mix with things. When Artiste-LiLi said they know what it is being used for that is true. You can from a wonderful relationship with those people in time and they will tell you things.

My Husband is hooked on their Chicken Pies LOL !


EXACTLY! It may only be one room and a small one at that...but the *room* is not the spirituality of the people or the place! Start doing some research on the African food items and what and how they are used...buy a few and use them......then find something they DON'T have and ask them for it, ask if they can get it for you, ask if they know somewhere you can find it. If there are things for you to learn there you will have to go there frequently and build a good business relationship..then build a more personal relationship. Don't expect "it" to slap you in the face the second you walk in the door. It takes time and MUCH trust. In "the community" you must help SUPPORT "the community" and build trust....you do this by being a good customer and helping to support their business. Most communities are very guarded and you have to build the trust and they must see that you are "pure of heart and desire", that you are a serious devotee.....THEN they may (or may not...depends on the community) open up to you.

If you were wanting to learn my birth path....you would have to build great trust with me and show me you are serious and you care and you aren't going to "betray the way" by running out and blabbering everything I tell you and tell who I am. My birth path is a very "secretive" and "closed" way...it is a "family path" and not many from "outside" are allowed in....you would have to be "adopted" and become "blood" to me. Some parts of my birth path and my Vodou (VooDoo....oh frizzle....I'm just going to use Vodou to indicate all spellings! lol) path are ok to share "publicly"...but it is a mere shimmer on the surface of what lies hidden beneath. And even the "shareable" parts I am extremely "picky" about who I share with.

[Teresa]

I am a familiar face in the Latino, Chinese, African, and Jamacian stores here in this city as well as our Botanicas and our Organic Food Stores and Green Groceries. You have to learn to look for things. I can walk into a store and see signs. Signs that they carry spiritual supplies that I am interested in. Signs that they carry the kinds of foods I use for offerings, homemade candles that you can twist , strong back tea, kanga water, 7 day Saint Candles, fresh herbs, essential oils, etc.

There is a store here that sells imported Masks and different types of musical instruments from Africa. Books made from organic materials perfect to make a BOS with. Homemade incenses, You can create your own teas from their stock of loose leafs, vitamins and natural remedies, castile soaps of all varieties. I love that store and I must have a list when I go inside. They carry Organic foods too.

Don't get me wrong. I do grow a majority of my own herbs and I also wild craft items. Some things do nt grow well in this area and I keep a good variety of things on hand just in case.

My Husband has a worker that came over from the Congo. He has become close enough to us to talk about Yoruba and Ifa with me and my Hubby the past couple of months. I am really enjoying the visits and learning more about Yoruba. When he came to visit our home he saw some things here I am sure that helped him to open up.

[Artiste-LiLi]

I am a familiar face in the Latino, Chinese, African, and Jamacian stores here in this city as well as our Botanicas and our Organic Food Stores and Green Groceries. You have to learn to look for things. I can walk into a store and see signs. Signs that they carry spiritual supplies that I am interested in. Signs that they carry the kinds of foods I use for offerings, homemade candles that you can twist , strong back tea, kanga water, 7 day Saint Candles, fresh herbs, essential oils, etc.

There is a store here that sells imported Masks and different types of musical instruments from Africa. Books made from organic materials perfect to make a BOS with. Homemade incenses, You can create your own teas from their stock of loose leafs, vitamins and natural remedies, castile soaps of all varieties. I love that store and I must have a list when I go inside. They carry Organic foods too.

Don't get me wrong. I do grow a majority of my own herbs and I also wild craft items. Some things do nt grow well in this area and I keep a good variety of things on hand just in case.

My Husband has a worker that came over from the Congo. He has become close enough to use to talk about Yoruba and Ifa with me and my Hubby the past couple of months. I am really enjoying the visits and learning more about Yoruba. When he came to visit our home he saw some things here I am sure that helped him to open up.

They see, they know....and many at the stores know by what you purchase.

[Teresa]

Indeed. Thinking about my favorite store has me craving some of this special blend loose peach tea. I am gonna take a break and make me some and Ice it ! Yum yum!

Yeah, our Living room is near my worship room. I am sure that he saw my altars. I wish I could go and experience things first hand over there. Right now I am in the process of checking out houses in Haiti. Looking for the right one for me. I am being lead to go there for a Haitian Initiation into Voodoo.

[aranarose]

Indeed. Thinking about my favorite store has me craving some of this special blend loose peach tea. I am gonna take a break and make me some and Ice it ! Yum yum!

Yeah, our Living room is near my worship room. I am sure that he saw my altars. I wish I could go and experience things first hand over there. Right now I am in the process of checking out houses in Haiti. Looking for the right one for me. I am being lead to go there for a Haitian Initiation into Voodoo.

I keep feeling the push to go to Haiti for initiation, but I don't know how I could ever come up with the money, or where I'd even start to look for a house.

[DixieWitch]

I keep feeling the push to go to Haiti for initiation, but I don't know how I could ever come up with the money, or where I'd even start to look for a house.

Me too aranarose. I usually take my dreams as signs. And a couple of weeks ago, maybe last week ???? I had a dream that I was in Haiti and at a Vodou ceremony. After watching for a while, I some how realized that I was at an initiation and it was for me. The cost factor has me looking for houses here in the south that are doing initiations. But from what I've read, Haiti is the place for initiations.

Is Vodou/HooDoo a path where you can't officially call yourself part of it unless you are initiated? It brings to mind Catholicism. I was always under the impression from my grandmother, who was a Catholic, that one couldn't be officially called a Catholic unless they did Communion, etc etc. I went to church with her many times. She was so strict, that I was only allowed to watch. I couldn't pray or anything!

[Teresa]

There are some rituals you can do as a non initiate. You can still serve the Loa. There are many who do not feel the longing to be initatied. You cam alot more understanding and guidance if you are though and to me it seems to draw you closer to the Loa. Well that is how it makes me feel personally. I talk to them like I would talk to people in my home. My husband is used to this. He is very interested.

http://members.aol.com/roots125/sirene.html

http://www.rootswithoutend.org/emporium/sirene_package.html


http://rootswithoutend.org/emporium.php

You can click on the non initiates services down the list here and get an idea or two!

[BlackLili]

You know, I love the idea of a kanzo ceremony, but the hand in the fire thing scares the poo outta me.

not to mention that the current state of affairs in Haiti right now are a tad desperate. i keep up with Haitian current events in some of my news feeds and they need help, lifted embargoes, medical assistance, and food.

i'd feel so spoiled there...though i keep considering going over with an aid group first, and maybe returning later.

i had a big fight with an old friend online this past weekend. his cousin had a "break with reality" as he put it, where she "left" her mind and kept insisting "Emily's not here now," (Emily is the girl's name) "She's safe, but we all need to pray for her," etc.

how we got on the topic of Voudon and possession i don't know. he's a writer, and immediately made some tasteless comments about how horrible possession by Mariette would be (i don't know how he's heard about Mariette but that was the example he used,). i asked him if he'd ever actually talked to someone whose been rode by a lwa. he admitted that, no, he hadn't - "but if it is real then why would you **** with something so insanely dangerous?"

we can tell already this was a long, drawn-out argument in which neither side ended up happy, yes?

on one hand, he sees Voudon specifically as a big lie, designed for some people to bilk others out of what little money they have in return for intangible "rewards." on the other hand, he grew up in the south and it scares the poo out of him, too.

ultimately, i saw this argument as his way of working through his fears about his cousin and his own mental stability and health, rather than any actual reflection of belief and faith. it did force me to verbalize and clearly quantify some of my thoughts about the Cosmos, Hoodoo, Voudon, and the lwa.

I don't know that I will ever become initiated into a House. Although the Service for Non-Initiates is way awesome, I will likely learn it as well as I know how, then make it my own. My children will all be dedicated to a certain lwa, probably under a saint's name. Only I and they will have to know. (DH will probably understand but not ask so much.) Sort of like their "secret name."

Wow...this got rambling. I 'pologize for going so OT there for a minute.

Just mostly wanted to say thanks for the Non-Initiate services. :thumbsup:

[aranarose]

Me too aranarose. I usually take my dreams as signs. And a couple of weeks ago, maybe last week ???? I had a dream that I was in Haiti and at a Vodou ceremony. After watching for a while, I some how realized that I was at an initiation and it was for me. The cost factor has me looking for houses here in the south that are doing initiations. But from what I've read, Haiti is the place for initiations.

Is Vodou/HooDoo a path where you can't officially call yourself part of it unless you are initiated? It brings to mind Catholicism. I was always under the impression from my grandmother, who was a Catholic, that one couldn't be officially called a Catholic unless they did Communion, etc etc. I went to church with her many times. She was so strict, that I was only allowed to watch. I couldn't pray or anything!

Hoodoo, there's not really an initiation, you just learn and do.

Vodou, as Shalaye said, you can honor the Lwa without initiation, but initiation brings you closer. For instance, before or during the initiation, there is a divination to determine who your Lwa met tet is, that is the ruler of your head. This is the Lwa who is with you most closely, though certainly not exclusively. I've been feeling the push to go to Haiti for about a year now, and the drive is getting stronger, but money is a HUGE factor for me.

[Artiste-LiLi]

You know, I love the idea of a kanzo ceremony, but the hand in the fire thing scares the poo outta me.

not to mention that the current state of affairs in Haiti right now are a tad desperate. i keep up with Haitian current events in some of my news feeds and they need help, lifted embargoes, medical assistance, and food.

i'd feel so spoiled there...though i keep considering going over with an aid group first, and maybe returning later.

i had a big fight with an old friend online this past weekend. his cousin had a "break with reality" as he put it, where she "left" her mind and kept insisting "Emily's not here now," (Emily is the girl's name) "She's safe, but we all need to pray for her," etc.

how we got on the topic of Voudon and possession i don't know. he's a writer, and immediately made some tasteless comments about how horrible possession by Mariette would be (i don't know how he's heard about Mariette but that was the example he used,). i asked him if he'd ever actually talked to someone whose been rode by a lwa. he admitted that, no, he hadn't - "but if it is real then why would you **** with something so insanely dangerous?"

we can tell already this was a long, drawn-out argument in which neither side ended up happy, yes?

on one hand, he sees Voudon specifically as a big lie, designed for some people to bilk others out of what little money they have in return for intangible "rewards." on the other hand, he grew up in the south and it scares the poo out of him, too.

ultimately, i saw this argument as his way of working through his fears about his cousin and his own mental stability and health, rather than any actual reflection of belief and faith. it did force me to verbalize and clearly quantify some of my thoughts about the Cosmos, Hoodoo, Voudon, and the lwa.

I don't know that I will ever become initiated into a House. Although the Service for Non-Initiates is way awesome, I will likely learn it as well as I know how, then make it my own. My children will all be dedicated to a certain lwa, probably under a saint's name. Only I and they will have to know. (DH will probably understand but not ask so much.) Sort of like their "secret name."

Wow...this got rambling. I 'pologize for going so OT there for a minute.

Just mostly wanted to say thanks for the Non-Initiate services. :thumbsup:


ummmmm....ok.....things getting a litttttlllllle bit "weird" now....

yesterday I was in the kitchen gathering my tools to bake my little niece's birthday cake for her first birthday and I caught myself "speaking" to myself (in my head and under my breath) in a light French accent (not uncommon...I have french heritage and I have studied french and my name "LiLi" is pronounced with a light french accent: "Lee-Lee" and I do talk to myself about what all I will need for any project..just a way to focus I suppose) and at times humming (again, not uncommon when I work on any project) a soft song. The "weird" comes in now.....I was talking with and singing to and about: Mariette. In my mind's eye she was a lovely darkskinned lady of maybe about 30 (give or take a few years), she was smiling, nodding yes and dancing. A few of the words to the song were "Sweet Mariette, sweet smile, sweet shining eyes, My Mariette; Ahhhh yes, Mon Mariette"...sometimes it was in English...sometimes in French. The cake itself is a "sunflower cake" (shape and decoration); it is a yellow cake with a light lemon flavor.

Please, tell me more....................who is Mariette? What does she represent? How does she "present"? Tell me anything and everything you can please?

[plumedsnake]

Is Vodou/HooDoo a path where you can't officially call yourself part of it unless you are initiated? It brings to mind Catholicism.

No, everybody is part of it from birth even if not officially. But if you go somewhere and claim to be officially involved then most likely the first question you'll be asked is your lineage. Not to be nasty but just out of curiousity, people will ask who initiated you and where. Just like asking a foreigner what country he comes from. If you cannot answer the questions then it'll be a bit embarrassing, won't it. There are people who can trace their lineage back for many generations. If you meet someone who shared a teacher or even someone whose teacher was taught by the same guy that taught your teacher then often a bond is automatically formed.

[BlackLili]

ummmmm....ok.....things getting a litttttlllllle bit "weird" now....

yesterday I was in the kitchen gathering my tools to bake my little niece's birthday cake for her first birthday and I caught myself "speaking" to myself (in my head and under my breath) in a light French accent (not uncommon...I have french heritage and I have studied french and my name "LiLi" is pronounced with a light french accent: "Lee-Lee" and I do talk to myself about what all I will need for any project..just a way to focus I suppose) and at times humming (again, not uncommon when I work on any project) a soft song. The "weird" comes in now.....I was talking with and singing to and about: Mariette. In my mind's eye she was a lovely darkskinned lady of maybe about 30 (give or take a few years), she was smiling, nodding yes and dancing. A few of the words to the song were "Sweet Mariette, sweet smile, sweet shining eyes, My Mariette; Ahhhh yes, Mon Mariette"...sometimes it was in English...sometimes in French. The cake itself is a "sunflower cake" (shape and decoration); it is a yellow cake with a light lemon flavor.

Please, tell me more....................who is Mariette? What does she represent? How does she "present"? Tell me anything and everything you can please?

Sorry, I had my spelling wrong in my initial post. The name of the lwa I was thinking of/referring to is Marinette - and I didn't know much about her either until I researched her during my argument with my friend the other day.

Marinette is a Petro lwa - possibly based on the mambo who performed at the Bwa Kaiyman the service to Ezili Dantor, which is a pivotal ceremony in Haitian history. (It signaled the beginning of the Haitian revolution against the slave owners on the island.)

She is associated with violence, extreme unpredictable/unstable energy, and werewolves. From what I have read, it is uncommon to have an altar to her inside of a house or peristyle as she tends to cause unpredictable things to happen (the warning I got was that she could burn down your house.) There are few who serve her primarily, and the descriptions I read all stated that to be mounted by her is at best exhausting and at worst can kill the voudousant.

I have to run to do something for a minute, but here's the link I got my best info from: http://www.mysanteria.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-1667.html

[Artiste-LiLi]

Sorry, I had my spelling wrong in my initial post. The name of the lwa I was thinking of/referring to is Marinette - and I didn't know much about her either until I researched her during my argument with my friend the other day.

Marinette is a Petro lwa - possibly based on the mambo who performed at the Bwa Kaiyman the service to Ezili Dantor, which is a pivotal ceremony in Haitian history. (It signaled the beginning of the Haitian revolution against the slave owners on the island.)

She is associated with violence, extreme unpredictable/unstable energy, and werewolves. From what I have read, it is uncommon to have an altar to her inside of a house or peristyle as she tends to cause unpredictable things to happen (the warning I got was that she could burn down your house.) There are few who serve her primarily, and the descriptions I read all stated that to be mounted by her is at best exhausting and at worst can kill the voudousant.

I have to run to do something for a minute, but here's the link I got my best info from: http://www.mysanteria.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-1667.html


Thank you, I'll check it out later as I have to go to my niece's 1 year birthday party in about 15 minutes.

No, the name I was hearing and singing was indeed "Mariette" not "Marinette". I've done a quick search and scan....and have found a few obscure references to "Mariette" associated with Vodou. So, I can see that I have more research ahead of me. :hahugh: