Hurricane Katrina Update

The hurricane largely bypassed the peristyle apart from some relatively minor damage to the roof. The shop reopened shortly after Katrina and is operating as usual.

History

Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman has practiced Vodou since 1977, and was ordained/intitiated as a Manbo in 1995. Since then, The Source Ancienne Sosyete Ounfo, a group of approximately 20 members, has served the Lwa under the guidance of Manbo Glassman. Glassman was initiated in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, by Oungan Edgar Jean Louis, and continues his lineage in the United States.

Activities and Schedule

Rituals are held weekly, and special "parties" and ceremonies are held throughout the year. Most weekly meetings take place in the home of Manbo Glassman, but public ceremonies are sometimes held near the Island of Salvation Botanica in the Bywater district of New Orleans. A ritual ceremony consists of rhythmic drumming which corresponds to a particular Lwa, or spirit. Prayers are sung in Haitian Creole, and sacred symbols are drawn inviting the presence of the Lwas. Blood sacrifices are performed in Haiti, but rarely practiced locally anymore. Certain rituals (e.g., initiations) require blood sacrifice, usually chickens and doves serve as the offerings. For most other rituals sacrifices are usually the Lwa's favorite food or drink, candles or representations of the Lwas themselves. During the ceremony the priestess (Manbo) will call upon a specific Lwa who will then possess a member of the congregation to impart wisdom and blessings. While the Lwa "mounts" the person, others can ask advice about problems and receive blessings from the Lwa. Joyous dancing usually concludes a ritual.

Mission Statement

The following exerpt from the mission statement is attributed to Manbo Sallie Ann Glassman. For the full text see: http://store.yahoo.com/jukejoint/mistbysaanng.html "La Source Ancienne Ounfo is a private Vodou societe that exists within my home. Its main purpose is to serve the Lwa and the community. To that end, ceremonies have been held every week for 25 years for the Lwa. Vodou is a living tradition. Our ceremonies are based on traditional Haitian Vodou, but incorporate ongoing inspiration and innovation. You will absolutely encounter some aspects of ritual in my home that are not traditional to Haitian Vodou and yet are absolutely legitimate to the ongoing development of Vodou as a syncretic religion. Fundamental to our practice of Vodou are respect and honor to the Lwa, to the house, and to one another. I wish to encourage each member of the house to come together in order to respond to the world with awe and appreciation. There will be no tolerance for personal power struggles or bids for attention. I cannot repeat often enough that these ceremonies are offerings for the Lwa and not FOR any one person in the Ounfo. Most Americans are so concerned with whether they are getting enough out of a relationship or out of any experience that they fail to notice how much they have to give or how rich they actually are. In giving to the Lwa, we are able to get past ourselves, our petty egos, and find that we stand for much more than ourselves. We are able to call the Gods, who respond by coming down among us. What more do we need?"