Talk:Haitian Vodou/GA2

GA Review

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Nominator: Midnightblueowl (talk · contribs) 17:37, 13 September 2023 (UTC)

Reviewer: Jens Lallensack (talk · contribs) 11:18, 8 April 2024 (UTC)

• This classificatory system derives from the way in which enslaved Africans were divided into "nations" upon their arrival in Haiti, usually based on their African port of departure rather than their ethno-cultural identity. – Optional, but it would be nice to have some further explanation here. Why does the classificatory system derive from these "nations"? Because each of these nations developed their own iwa independently?
  • I'm not sure if it known exactly how these theological nanchon came together in Haiti. Obviously, Vodou developed in a largely non-literate environment, so we don't have historical records demonstrating how it developed in the early decades. It's possibly that Benjamin Hebblethwaite's new book deals with the situation, but I haven't had a chance to read that yet. When I do, I'll see if there's anything relevant on the formation of the nanchon to include in the article. Midnightblueowl (talk) 10:23, 12 April 2024 (UTC)

• In Petwo rites, the first lwa invoked is usually Mèt Kalfou. The second lwa usually greeted are the Marasa or sacred twins – Would be nice to introduce these Iwas a bit instead of just throwing the name; what are their functions?
  • I haven't been able to find much about Mèt Kalfou in the academic literature. Generally, there is a dearth of studies dealing with practitioners engaging with the Petwo nanchon; the vast majority of scholars writing on Vodou have instead looked primarily at those working with the Rada nanchon. (There's a similar situation when it comes to Afro-Cuban religions; lots of studies dealing with the Yoruba-derived Santería and far fewer on the Kongo-derived Palo). Midnightblueowl (talk) 10:23, 12 April 2024 (UTC)

• every nanchon has its own Marasa,[111] reflecting a belief that twins have special powers.[112] Agwe, also known as Agwe-taroyo, – Is Agwe a Marasa? Comes a bit out of the blue here, maybe reformulate to make clear if you are continuing discussing Marasa or if Agwe is something else.
  • Agwe isn't a Marasa, so I've tried to make that clear by rewording to the following: "Another important lwa is Agwe,[...]". Midnightblueowl (talk) 10:08, 12 April 2024 (UTC)

• It follows a list of Iwa, but this seems a bit chaotic; based on which criteria and in which order are they listed? It's not an exhaustive list, right? Are these Rada or Petwo iwa? Maybe add an introductory sentence stating that these are some of the most important iwa, ideally with a source that makes this selection.
  • It certainly isn't an exhaustive list as there are hundreds of lwa out there. I've basically only listed the lwa who are given attention in the main introductory academic texts on Vodou; that suggests that these are the most commonly venerated spirits in Vodou, although actually ascertaining that for sure would be very difficult (especially given the present situation in Haiti). I don't object to having an introductory sentence explaining that these are the most commonly cited lwa, but problematically I don't have a source that explicitly says that. Midnightblueowl (talk) 10:08, 12 April 2024 (UTC)
    • I double checked Metraux and he does make a point about certain lwa being of major importance so I will use that to offer support for an introductory sentence on this matter. Midnightblueowl (talk) 10:23, 12 April 2024 (UTC)

• She is a mermaid or siren, – No connection to Greek Mythology here I assume, or is there?
  • Not that I am aware of. I think it best if I remove "siren" here because it is likely to give the impression of a Greek connection. Midnightblueowl (talk) 10:08, 12 April 2024 (UTC)

• More later. --Jens Lallensack (talk) 11:18, 8 April 2024 (UTC)
  • Thanks, Jens. Midnightblueowl (talk) 10:08, 12 April 2024 (UTC)