DJAB DJAB, WILD SPIRIT OF THE VOODOO

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Djabs are quite colorful characters actually, and have been known to dance in the streets, usually in groups of four, singing unusual songs, banging trash cans and clanking chains. While they are spiritual/magickal beings, they are tied to the physical world, unlike the loas. The typically reside in crossroads, landmarks, and the bodies of animals.

Djabs are so powerful that the success of the Haitian revolution against the French is attributed in large part to the help of the djab djabs. Legend has it that djabs were invoked by Haitian slaves to fight along side them in battle. Consequently, the djabs awarded the Haitians protection against bullets, and aided in the Haitian's victory over their French enslavers by using biological warfare in the form of yellow fever, ultimately wiping out most of General LeClerc's military force.

Go djab djabs! Go djab djabs!

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In Northern African magic, sulfur is said to be equal to salt in its magickal qualities for repelling evil entities and conjuring power energy. Sulfur is used as a primary ingredient for banishing spells and exorcisms. Traditionally, sulfur can be burned or carried as a talisman or in a conjure bag. Burning is not adviseable as it is potentially quite irritating. Here are a couple of ways to make power conjure bags using sulfur.

Sulfur Spell Conjure Bag: You will need a piece of red flannel cut into a 2 x 2 inch square (minimum). You can use any red material but in New Orleans flannel is frequently used in hoodoo workings. Place a piece of sulfur in the center and tie the bag using leather or hemp cord. You can also use sulfur powder for this. Activate the bag by attaching a small sword charm to it.

Sulfur Spell Extra Power Conjure Bag: You need a piece of red flannel cut in a 4x4 inch square. Place some or all of the following into the bag: a pinch of sulfur, a pinch of henna or iron oxide, a pich of kohl powder, a pich of graveyard dust or dirt, and a pinch of tobacco. Carry this super power conjure bag with you to give you power over malevolence.

Erzulie Dantor is a mulatto woman who is often portrayed as the Black Madonna, or the Roman Catholic "Saint Barbara Africana". She loves knives and is considered the protector of newly consecrated Voodoo priests and priestesses, as well as of women and children who are victims of domestic violence, and women who have been betrayed by a lover. She is highly respected and much feared due to her Woman Power. Most Haitian women serve Dantor, and she is also the patron loa of New Orleans and so she is served by many there as well. She also supports independent business women and is the patron of women's finances. Many women invoked Erzulie Dantor against their partners (male or female) should they become violent. And enlightened men also serve Dantor, especially men who honor, love and respect women.

Because of her fierce nature she is frequently referred to as a "djab".

Erzulie fanm Ti-Jean metres kay la,
Erzulie fanm Ti-Jean metres kay la,
Pa rele, se ou pote Houngan nivo,
Pa rele, so ou pote wanga pi fo,
Erzulie fanm Ti-Jean metres kay la,
Paket mwen a tout mare.

Erzulie Ti-Jean's woman, mistress of the house,
Erzulie Ti-Jean's woman, mistress of the house,
Don't cry out, it's you who carries the new Houngan,
Don't cry out, it's you who carries the strongest spells,
Erzulie Ti-Jean's woman, mistress of the house,
My paket is all tied up.

A paket is a power object made during the opening ceremony of (Haitian) Vodou initiation.

To purchase an Erzulie Dantor Voodoo doll, visit http://www.mysticvoodoo.com/voodoo_loa_dolls.htm/

"The god who created the earth; who created the sun that gives us light. The god who holds up the ocean; who makes the thunder roar. Our God who has ears to hear. You who are hidden in the clouds; who watch us from where you are. You see all that the white has made us suffer. The white man's god asks him to commit crimes. But the god within us wants to do good. Our god, who is so good, so just, He orders us to revenge our wrongs. It's He who will direct our arms and bring us the victory. It's He who will assist us. We all should throw away the image of the white men's god who is so pitiless. Listen to the voice for liberty that speaks in all our hearts." Boukman's Prayer at the Bwa Kayiman Vodun ceremony, the call to action that launched the Haitian Revolution, on August 14, 1791.

Artist: Shernike
Age: 13
School: VSAarts of St. Lucia, The Dunnottar School
City: Castries
Country: St. Lucia W.I.

Papa Djab is one of the cultural scenes which can be seen parading throughout the streets on Christmas and Boxing Day. Papa Djab dances and chants to which the onlooker responds. I chose this scene because I like listening and following papa Djab.

I live with my mother, father, brothers and sister. I like to draw and I spend my free time watching TV.

The little girl in blue. crayons, fabric and cotton.

http://www.creativeconnections.org/international_art_exhibits/show_art.php?imageid=944

Zenglendo is a word used to describe a type of street violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Kreyol word 'zenglendo' is a combination of 'zenglen' ('shards of broken glass') and 'do' ('back'), and was originally used in an old folktale told to children about the djab,
or 'devil'. In the story, the djab is described as a malicious trickster, devoted to tormenting children.

Always seeking ways to lure adolescents into despair, the djab takes the form of an older person who appeals to a youngster for a back rub. When the child begins to massage the tired muscles of the elder,the djab transforms himself into zenglendo, transforming his back into a twisted mess of broken glass, horribly cutting the hands of the child. The moral of the tale is clear - sometimes those that we trust can turn on us with malice.

Source:
J. Christopher Kovats-Bernat
Department of Anthropology, Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
http://www.muhlenberg.edu/depts/soc-anth/faculty/publication-2000.pdf