image stitched together with colorful cloth with beads and sequined overlay; central figure with two heads stacked on top of each other, both with colorful painted faces; wears purple shirt with gold circle separate by green line, and wears red pants; two smaller heads on below PR and PL hands of figure; green background with blue snake weaving around and behind figure; green and red geometric border; pink bands with beaded text to PR and PL of figure; PL side reads "ANT hONY", PR reads "BOSU LESSAGE"; orange silk backing

%C2%A9 artist

"Bosou" voodoo flag, 20th century

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Vodou flags (drapo Vodou in Creole) have a special place in the visual culture of Haiti. Originally used at Vodou religious ceremonies, they bear the symbol of an lwa

(or loa), an intermediary spirit between God and humans. The colored flags are an invitation for the lwa to take part in the ceremony and would be carried in procession by the worshippers. This flag is dedicated to the lwa Bosou, represented as a horned man whose strength is used to defeat enemies.

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Details
Title
"Bosou" voodoo flag
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2017.133.13
Curator Approved

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image stitched together with colorful cloth with beads and sequined overlay; central figure with two heads stacked on top of each other, both with colorful painted faces; wears purple shirt with gold circle separate by green line, and wears red pants; two smaller heads on below PR and PL hands of figure; green background with blue snake weaving around and behind figure; green and red geometric border; pink bands with beaded text to PR and PL of figure; PL side reads "ANT hONY", PR reads "BOSU LESSAGE"; orange silk backing

© artist

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